·Review Basic Information

TS-1 Music Streamer Wins

MOST RECOMMENDED Award

By AudioArt

·Platform: AudioArt

AudioArt Magazine has been growing alongside countless music lovers and audiophiles since its founding in 1988. Each monthly issue of the magazine covers a wide range of the latest developments in music and audio, featuring in-depth reviews of the newest audio equipments from around the world, system adjustment techniques, guides to the latest music softwares, as well as introductions to music genres, composers, and interviews with renowned musicians.

Original: AudioArt, Vol. 452 May 2026

Review Product:  「Matrix Audio」TS-1 Music Streamer

The build quality and sound quality both reach Hi-End standards, making it the top choice for those who enjoy both headphones and speakers.

About ten years ago, I was still immersed in the world of headphones when a brand from Xi’an caught my attention. At that time, Matrix Audio launched its element series, which was truly ahead of the market. Not only did it pioneer support for the HQPlayer NAA, but it also offered dual headphone outputs (6.35mm and 4.4mm), a color touchscreen, and other features. In an era when products in the same price range were still competing over raw specifications, these functions were rare even by global standards. From a product planning perspective, you could clearly feel the brand’s keen insight into user needs.

In recent years, what really changed my perception of Matrix Audio was the arrival of the flagship M Series. With its exquisite full-aluminum CNC chassis, highly distinctive perforated heat-dissipating top plate, and large touchscreen, it completely shed the brand’s previous image of being value-oriented. It made people recognize Matrix Audio’s outstanding capabilities in industrial design and sound tuning. I believe this is also the main reason why SoundArt, the distributor in Taiwan, decided to bring the brand in.

The subsequent N Series and T Series not only inherited the refined craftsmanship and tuning philosophy of the M series but also brought the products to a more accessible price point that fits easily on a desktop.

The unit sent to our listening room this time, the TS-1, is the most integrated model in the T series. Combining a streamer, DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier in one chassis, it allows both headphone users and active speaker users to achieve a complete setup in one go — all for under NT$100,000.

Refined Quality Through Simplicity

Unboxing the TS-1 leaves a strong first impression. As soon as you pick it up, the substantial heft feels nothing like a desktop device that's only A4-sized. Its 2.89 kg weight comes from a chassis precision-milled from a single block of aluminum, with a smooth tactile finish and nearly seamless joints. The signature perforated heat-dissipation design on the top panel is the most iconic visual cue from Matrix Audio since the M series — the dense array of tiny circular holes serves not only functional cooling needs but also adds a touch of premium craftsmanship to the cool metal body.

The front panel is dominated by a touchscreen that spans almost the entire width, offering fine display detail and rich color saturation. During playback, you can choose from multiple display interfaces, including a VU meter mode; when in standby mode, it can even turn into a clock, blending seamlessly into your daily desktop scenery. The controls are responsive and quick — whether browsing tracks, adjusting volume, or switching inputs, everything responds at a touch.

On the right side of the chassis, there are a 6.35mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output. The rear panel is fully equipped with a comprehensive set of terminals. Notably, the TS-1 retains a 12V DC power input: when an external linear power supply is connected, the system automatically cuts off the internal switching power supply circuit, keeping only the AC power cable's ground connection. This provides an upgrade path for users seeking the ultimate performance.

Inheriting the Core DNA of the M Series

Although the TS-1 is positioned as an entry-level series, with a much smaller footprint and more affordable price than the M series, there is no trace of compromise in its design inside and out. Not only does it adopt a fully balanced digital-to-analog conversion architecture, but it also employs one AKM AK4493SEQ chip per channel operating in Duo-Mono mode, effectively improving dynamic range and reducing distortion. Moreover, the power supplies for the left and right channels are completely independent, each equipped with dual-channel ultra-low-noise voltage regulators.

In terms of circuit layout, the TS-1 cleverly separates the digital and analog circuits onto two layers of the PCB — digital circuitry on the bottom layer and analog circuitry on the top layer. This shortens signal paths while effectively isolating digital noise from interfering with the analog signals, and also aids heat dissipation for the high-bias headphone amplifier circuit. The heart of the digital section — the clock system — features two ultra-low-phase-noise femtosecond clocks, corresponding to the two major sampling rate families (44.1kHz and 48kHz) and their multiples. These are powered by independent low-noise linear voltage regulators, with intelligent frequency division and switching controlled via FPGA, laying the foundation for low-jitter digital signal output.

On the playback compatibility front, the TS-1 shares the same streaming hardware and software platform as the M series, running the proprietary MA Player smart operating system based on Linux. It supports mainstream streaming protocols including Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, and AirPlay 2. With the MA Remote App, users can enjoy smooth control on both iOS and Android devices. In actual use, the MA Remote App delivers an impressive experience — the interface is intuitive and visually pleasing, and browsing music libraries or adjusting settings is very fluid.

The underside of the chassis even features an NVMe SSD expansion slot with dedicated ultra-low-noise independent power supply. After installing a solid-state drive, you can build a local music library directly, mount NAS or cloud drives, or even connect an external USB optical drive to rip CDs into digital files stored on the device — realizing the concept of a comprehensive digital audio hub.

The headphone amplifier circuit is another highlight of the TS-1. It features a newly designed fully balanced, high-bias discrete headphone amplification circuit with an output impedance of only 1Ω, ensuring effective voltage swing even when driving low-impedance, high-sensitivity headphones.

Reference Albums

• The complete Max Reger clarinet sonatas recorded by Michael Collins and Michael McHale (Chandos). In 1900, the young Reger heard his teacher performing Brahms's Op. 120. His teacher recalled: "Reger listened for a while and said, 'Alright, I'm going to write a couple of pieces like that too!' About three weeks later, he had kept his word." The result was the two Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 49. Nearly a decade later came the Third Sonata, Op. 107 — the crystallisation of that period of maturation. Reger himself described it as "very light and friendly," while I consider it a beautiful and deeply affectionate pastoral idyll.

Listening Environment

• Our No. 2 listening room (5.4m × 4.4m, approximately 7 sq m)

• Acoustic treatment equipment used:

• Soundbox diffusers

• Fullway PTN-1804 absorbers

• Tiglon, Sound Art Black Birch, and Lovan audio racks

• Audiopan PowerPlant 100 S4 isolation transformer

• Huake Ray Audio Bamboo Field No. 3 isolation transformer

• KECES IORP-1500 isolation transformer

• COS S10 network switch

Focal Point

• Inherits the M series' full-aluminum CNC chassis and perforated heat-dissipation design — exquisite craftsmanship with a reassuring heft.

• Six intuitively named digital filter modes deliver immediate results when paired with different headphones and music genres.

• Ample headphone driving power — even flagship-grade headphones are rendered with a full-bodied, emotionally engaging sound.

• When used as a stereo source preamplifier, it holds its own effortlessly even alongside million-dollar-class systems.

Recommendations

• Allow sufficient ventilation space around the unit during placement; stacking other components on top is not recommended.

Six Filters to Find Your Sweet Spot

Beyond its meticulous hardware design, the TS-1 offers six digital filter modes tailored to different listening preferences, each given an intuitive name and recommended genre pairings:

Mellow – Recommended for jazz, vocals, and classical music. The treble is rolled off and warm, evoking an analog-like tonal character.

Analytical – Geared toward pop and electronic music. The treble is energetic and resolving, highlighting high-frequency details and dynamics.

Dynamic – Designed for percussion and rock. Transients are tight, the soundstage is precise, with emphasis on impact and imaging.

Natural – Recommended for chamber music and folk. The midrange is gentle, preserving warmth while balancing naturalness and detail.

Analog – Tailored for classic recordings and jazz. The sonic foundation is smooth and luscious, delivering a relaxed vinyl-like listening experience.

Detail – Built for symphonies and large-scale recordings. Pursues pristine high separation and fast transients, faithfully reconstructing complex musical textures.

This thoughtful design means even users unfamiliar with the principles of digital filtering can quickly find the right mode simply by matching the music genre they're listening to. To me, this is a vivid embodiment of Matrix Audio's "simplifying complexity" design philosophy.

High Impedance Headphones Handled with Ease

For this listening session, I evaluated the TS-1 using two distinctly different flagship headphones — the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 and the Denon AH-D9200 — and also used the TS-1 as a source preamplifier driving a Hegel H80A power amplifier paired with DALI EPIKORE 7 speakers for a two-channel listening experience. Each of the three setups employed a different filter mode, which conveniently verified the practicality of the six modes across various systems.

I started with the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000, a headphone that acts like a truth-revealing mirror — extremely demanding in terms of driving capability and detail retrieval. Listening through the 4.4mm balanced output, I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike most models within NT$100000 that chase after "spec sheet performance" and often come across as cold, serious, and expressionless, the TS-1 instead delivered a remarkably rich and full sound character, capable of crafting nuanced emotional shifts as the music ebbed and flowed. When pairing with the ADX-7000, my preferred filter setting was "Analog," which added a layer of emotional depth to the already wide and airy sonic texture.

Taking Max Reger's Second Clarinet Sonata as an example — a piece written for the A-clarinet, which has a gentler and warmer tonal character compared to the B-flat clarinet — the combination of the TS-1 and ADX-7000 precisely captured that unique warmth and singing quality of the A-clarinet. Under the "Analog" mode, the clarinet's breath, the subtle sounds of key movements, and the piano's resonance blended together with remarkable naturalness. Especially in the slow movement, the clarinet's long melodic lines floated like wisps of smoke, while the piano harmonies shone through like faint light piercing a thin mist. The two intertwined to evoke Reger's characteristic introspective yet profound romantic sentiment — making you forget that all this was being driven by a machine costing less than NT$70000.

● The rear panel terminal configuration is comprehensively equipped: digital inputs include Optical, Coaxial, USB Audio, and HDMI ARC; on the analog side, there is one set of RCA inputs, one set each of RCA and XLR outputs, plus a subwoofer output. On the right side, a 12V DC input allows connection to an external linear power supply for upgrades — when connected, the internal switching power supply is automatically disconnected, with only the ground retained.

An Expansive Imagination from Closed-Back Headphones

When switching to the Denon AH-D9200, I first needed to change the output to Low Impedance Mode via the MA Remote App — an operation that was quite intuitive and reflected the thoughtfulness behind the TS-1's software-hardware integration. The TS-1 delivered its consistently warm and full-bodied tonality, but with the D9200, I preferred using the "Detail" mode, which complemented this closed-back headphone's surprisingly expansive soundstage, creating a more three-dimensional sense of imagery.

Listening to the third movement, The Warrior Lover, from Walter Braunfels's Chinese Songs, the opening features resounding cymbals and woodwinds symbolizing the warrior's valor, while the soprano extravagantly proclaims her lover's bravery. Here, the "Detail" mode rendered the orchestral layering with exquisite clarity. But as the lover is conscripted into battle, the tempo slows, and the woman pours out the sorrow of separation. In this symphonic song approaching sonata form, the TS-1 portrayed both the instrumental textures and the emotional turns of the vocal line with vivid precision. When the clanging melody reappears in the finale, the musical power that brings distant horizons close enough to touch was genuinely moving.

● The TS-1 inherits the design language of the M series. Its overall dimensions are no larger than an A4 sheet, yet it carries a substantial heft. The full-aluminum CNC chassis is paired with the signature perforated heat-dissipation array on the top panel, while the front panel features a nearly full-width touchscreen with fine display quality and responsive controls. Together with dual headphone outputs, it makes for a remarkably convenient and straightforward desktop companion.

Punching Above Its Weight Against Million-Dollar Systems

When serving as a streamer, DAC, and preamplifier in a two-channel system, the TS-1's performance surprised me even further. Paired with a Hegel H30A power amplifier driving DALI EPIKORE 7 speakers, the TS-1 demonstrated exceptional spatial reproduction capabilities. Particularly under the "Natural" filter setting, facing a million-dollar-class amplifier and speakers, there was never a moment where it failed to fill the space — the scale and richness of detail in the music were truly eye-opening.

Take Reger's orchestration of Schubert's Erlkönigas an example. The original piano accompaniment uses urgent triplets to simulate the galloping carriage racing through the night, while Reger's orchestration imbues this tension with grander scale and richer layers of color. String tremolos replace the piano's triplets, while brass and woodwinds lay down distinctly different timbral backdrops for each of the four characters' voices. Driving this two-channel system, the TS-1 not only faithfully reproduced the orchestra's spatial depth and dynamic contrasts, but also rendered the positioning of the four characters' voices with clear distinction — from the low-pitched narration, the anxious father, the terrified child, to the sweetly seductive Erlking. Each character occupied a explicit position and texture within the soundstage, making it impossible to associate the source with merely a NT$70000 desktop component.

Additionally, I tried powering the TS-1 with an EAHybrid battery supply providing 12V DC output. The sound became noticeably more refined and elegant — as if a transparent glaze had been applied to an already beautiful canvas, proving that the TS-1 indeed holds great potential along the external power supply upgrade path.

● The TS-1's power supply is designed on a separate circuit board located on the left side, while the analog and digital circuits are arranged on two layers of the PCB — digital circuitry on the bottom, analog circuitry on top — with the left and right channels being perfectly symmetrical. Each channel is equipped with one AK4493SEQ chip operating in dual-DAC parallel configuration, with completely independent power supplies. The two femtosecond clocks also each have their own dedicated low-noise regulated power supply. The build is exceptionally meticulous and refined — nothing like what you'd expect from an entry-level model.

The Top Entry-Level Choice for Headphones and Speakers Alike

Ten years ago, when I first encountered Matrix Audio in the headphone world, what I saw was a young brand daring to experiment with new technologies. Today, a decade later, the TS-1 shows me a Matrix Audio that has become mature, confident, and composed. Priced at under NT$70000, it delivers build quality and sonic performance far beyond what its price bracket would suggest, exhibiting Hi-End-level standards whether used for headphone listening or as the digital core of a two-channel system. Throughout the review process, the TS-1 was paired with three different systems and tested under different filter settings — each time it managed to find the most fitting sonic direction. This design philosophy of "simplifying complexity" with high versatility truly impressed me, and it absolutely deserves our highest recommendation. From the element series to the M series and now to the TS-1, I have witnessed a brand transform from a bold newcomer into one that stands firmly on its own. The TS-1, to me, is the most gratifying fruit of that journey — and for anyone searching for an entry-level model that can satisfy both headphone and speaker system needs, the TS-1 is unquestionably the most compelling answer on the market today.