Streaming
The nature of a streamer is of course playing music through network sources. The mini-i Pro 4 comes equipped with an array of different streaming services. Matrix has implemented versions of Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and others. On top of the streaming services you can also listen to internet radio with v-tuner or FM Radio.
With Matrix MA Player app you can easily control the mini-i Pro 4 with your smartphone or tablet. I have installed it on my Android phone and it has proven to be the easiest for me personally, although there have been some quirks when in use.
One example would be, that I did get a random error message when trying to play a song through Tidal in their app. When connecting Tidal’s native app via Tidal Connect to the mini-i Pro 4 everything worked flawlessly.
Otherwise the MA Player app worked well for me.
The mini-i Pro 4 also can find your network enabled hard-drives and network shares via UPnP and DLNA. Apple devices can also send digital streams to the Pro 4 via AirPlay.
When using the mini-i Pro 4 in Roon Ready mode, you can easily pick it as an output source in Roon’s own interface by selecting it in the Audio tab in settings. Personally, I am a big fan of Roon and its way of portraying music. So whenever I have the chance to use Roon I will.
Matrix Audio mini-i Pro 4
Sound
Throughout the last weeks and months I have used the mini-i Pro 4 as my home office source of choice. I used the USB input, as well as multiple streaming options (MA Player, Tidal Connect, Roon). For the better part of the listening period, I have used my HiFiMAN HE-1000se and a wide array of In Ears via the 4.4mm balanced output.
The mini-i Pro 4 is a solid performer, especially when it comes to dynamics and technical abilities. It paints a picture that’s precise to the dot and excels with realism and body. The Matrix streamer has a sound that’s probably best described as warm neutral. It delivers a sound that has found me nodding along on many occasions.
Bass is well defined and dynamic with a good dose of punch and authority. Though it doesn’t throw knock-out levels of sub-bass it still is superbly fast. The lows have an organic sound with good body and weight, especially in the mid and upper bass sections of the frequency spectrum. This makes the low-end appear natural and organic. It is that slight upper bass boost that colors the lower mids and midrange in general to a warmer tuning.
Instruments have a great natural sound to them, which are far from being thin or anemic. Keys, guitars and string instruments all sound life-like and with high resolution. The mids are tuned to a slightly warmer sound to give your music an enjoyable presentation.
Vocals come across with excellent body and emotions. Both male and female singers just make a lot of fun to listen to. There is this warmed up air around them, that just delivers hugely on emotions and power. What grabbed my attention in the mids is how rich everything sounds.
The mini-i Pro 4 is an outstanding performer in terms of technicalities. It offers very high resolution and brings out a picture that’s superbly precise and clear. The background is dark and gives the sound-stage depth for ages. The sound-stage is definitely deeper than it’s wide, but it still reaches decently out of your head. Each instrument is placed carefully in the room with good separation. Layering is a part where I find the mini-i Pro 4 to excel and to deliver better values than on imaging.
The treble tuning is quite moderate, where high notes are tuned a bit shy. People with a tendency to lower treble tolerances might find the Pro 4 a very good companion. There’s absolutely no harshness or sibilance in the tuning anywhere.
The review continues on page three!
