Matrix Audio SS-1 audio grade network switch

Improving sound quality by improving the Ethernet connection is a hot topic. Network specialists tell us that this is impossible. But many ears, including mine, tell us the opposite. In this review an audio grade switch from digital audio expert Matrix Audio.

Contents of this video:

00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Start of program
01:24 - Second best
02:32 - Where to use
03:31 - The outside
05:12 - The inside
06:13 - How tested #1
08:01 - Sound quality #1
08:59 - How tested #2
09:29 - Sound quality #2
10:28 - How tested #3
11:17 - Sound quality #3
11:58 - The wrap

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[arturomartinez]

Hi Hans! I’ve been looking forward to seeing your 100K YouTube award for the past few weeks. A well-deserved recognition!

[hermanvisser]

Hans, you are always first with reviewing the most interesting equipment. Well done. You are a compass for us Audiophiles.

[renatomorais]

Good God, that was some extensive comparison, I can only imagine the work that went into it!

[readyaudio]

Thank you Hans! Would love to see the same review for the Network Acoustics Tempus. I’m vey much enjoying its slight but noticeable upgrade over Ether Regen with after dark clock.

[Nefty_]

Thanks to Jaap from Alpha Audio, we know have measurements showing the impact of switches, cables and even clocks, on the jitter at the DA conversion.

[bill]

Hello Hans,

Another cracking, informative and fun video.
I'm from an analogue background and am having a hard time climbing the steep learning curve, so sorry if I'm asking a daft question.
Will a DDC achieve similar results?
Do you need both?
Where best to deploy Galvanic isolation? If upstream, will it reintroduce itself further down?
How best to spend your money?
Could you do an explainer in future vid?
Thanks, sorry if I'm slow on the uptake!

[manm]

Thanks for your great review. Out of interest, did you also connect the SS-1 followed by the Muon Pro into the network streamer to see if there is another improvement?

[VChan-ch]

Hello Hans, I note the sound test of Grimm MU2, you mentioned there is no significant improvement on Grimm since it is less susceptible to the network switch. I'm the Grimm MU1 user, please advise whether a good quality LPS connected to the network switch will improve the performance of MU1 or MU2 or not.

[cangogus]

Hi Hans. I just purchased this switch based on your positive review and will be feeding it fiber optic from the same zyxel gs1900-10hp that you have. I am new to this network stuff, so would appreciate it if you can let me know the components you have used to connect the two devices - namely the zyxel and matrix ss-1. What type of fiber optic cable and spf plugs (to terminate the optic cable and connect one end to zyxel and the other to MA SS-1) do you use or recommend. Your advice will be much appreciated.

[anaussieaudiophile]

Very interesting review, Hans. I enjoyed this one. Great work.👍 I'll have a Muon 1 passive ethernet filter in for review next week with a Muon 2 USB cable that should be interesting.

[dejaveau]

Hello Hans, thanks for the great job as always. Have you posted your 2025 reference set up yet. Would you say the Mytek BB ll is a notable upgrade from the Magna Mano? My set-up is close to your set up 1b, and I’m considering upgrading my streamer. Thoughts? P.S. I’ve read some poor comments about the Mytek BB II

[t.j.bennett]

Are you running the fiber media converter between the modem and router?

[peterfrosini]

Hello Hans, Is there a similar positive effect on video using the Matrix audio SS-1 switch?

[wedgtton]

Interesting that 100Mbps ports are meant to be cleaner. Do you think that it would also follow that negotiation should be forced to 100Mbps for the ports on all switches used for music streaming?

[Rob-Davidson]

They force you to make an account before you can even see the price. No one needs an account to simply buy an item. They're selling your information.

[sinclabs]

Why not put the roon server on the SS-1 so that your streamer and server are both connected to the SS-1 directly and remove the other switch from the chain? It would seem to me that would be the ideal solution. Am I missing something?

[archonblaze]

Hans ask them to send you the Pro version. Its not just an SS-1 with internal LPS, it has a better clock and some other things. Supposedly its noticeably better.

[FransbertSchermerMV]

I respect all Hans's fine reviews, but how much you have to do to get digital music right. Feels like a never ending I must say I like it more to play vinyl, and clean the records now and than. Instead of fighting jitter and changing DACs, streamers, switches every weeks.... . 2.200 euro = 75 perfectly pressed albums !

[thinkIndependent]

Almost any fiber uplink fed switch with a ultra low power source will give stellar performance.Thst just a FACT no Audiophile file label needed