Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3 Music Streaming DAC

The Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 is a masterclass in digital audio engineering, a streaming DAC that seamlessly blends state-of-the-art technology with a pure, uncolored musical presentation. As the first model in the Matrix lineup to integrate streaming capabilities, the X-SABRE 3 acts as the complete digital hub for your high-end audio system. It combines a Roon Ready network bridge, a world-class D/A converter, and a powerful balanced preamplifier into a single, exquisitely crafted chassis. By isolating the DAC circuitry from the processing system and utilizing the flagship ES9038PRO chip, the X-SABRE 3 delivers your digital music collection with breathtaking clarity, an expansive soundstage, and an effortlessly natural sound.

Key Features:

• Roon Ready and Network Streaming: Effortlessly stream high-resolution audio from TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, and your local network library directly to the device.
• Flagship ES9038PRO DAC Chip: Utilizes the industry-leading 8-channel D/A converter from ESS, delivering benchmark performance with incredible dynamic range and ultra-low distortion.
• Crystek CCHD-950 Femtosecond Clock: A high-precision femtosecond clock ensures the digital-to-analog conversion process is executed with minimal jitter for a stable and focused sound.
• Fully Isolated DAC Circuitry: The DAC, analog circuits, and processing core are housed in separate, shielded cavities within the chassis to eliminate digital interference.
• High-Performance Preamplifier: A built-in analog preamplifier with +10dB of gain allows for direct connection to a power amplifier, creating a clean and minimalist signal path.
• Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes: Offers user-selectable DAC modes to either sync with the source's clock or use its own high-precision internal clock for maximum flexibility.

A New Chapter in Streaming

The X-SABRE 3 is the perfect bridge between your digital music library and your Hi-Fi system. As a Roon Ready endpoint, it integrates flawlessly into the Roon ecosystem, providing a rich, user-friendly interface for browsing your music. It also supports direct streaming from TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect, and is compatible with UPnP and AirPlay 2, making it incredibly easy to play music from any device on your network. The high-speed quad-core ARM processor ensures smooth playback and rapid response, handling even the highest resolution files with ease.

The Art of Isolation

To achieve its remarkably low noise floor, the X-SABRE 3's internal architecture is meticulously designed for isolation. The chassis is divided into independent cavities, separating the DAC and analog stages from the digital processing and power supply sections. This compartmentalized, CNC-milled aluminum structure acts as a fortress, shielding the highly sensitive audio circuits from the electromagnetic interference generated by the CPU and power components. The result is a pure black background from which even the most subtle musical details can emerge.

World-Class Digital to Analog Conversion

At the heart of the X-SABRE 3 is the flagship ESS ES9038PRO D/A converter, a chip renowned for its industry-leading performance. This 8-channel powerhouse is paired with a Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock, which provides an incredibly stable and accurate timing reference for the conversion process. This combination minimizes jitter to vanishingly low levels, ensuring a clean, precise, and artifact-free conversion. To further refine the sound, the X-SABRE 3 offers selectable DAC modes, allowing you to choose between synchronous mode to lock onto the source's clock or asynchronous mode to utilize its own superior internal clock.

More Than a DAC

The X-SABRE 3 simplifies your audio chain by incorporating a high-quality, fully balanced analog preamplifier. With +10dB of analog gain, it can drive a power amplifier directly, eliminating the need for a separate preamp and its associated cabling, which can degrade the signal. The output volume is managed by the DAC chip's internal digital attenuator, preserving the purity of the analog signal path. The intuitive user interface, crisp high-resolution LCD screen, and elegant tempered glass top panel make the X-SABRE 3 a joy to use and a stunning centerpiece for any modern audio system.

The Listening Room Difference

We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications