Matrix Audio NT-1 Reference Digital Audio Transport at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The NT-1 is a reference-grade digital audio transport from Matrix Audio (Xi'an, China), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. Built on the same streaming hardware platform as the flagship M Series, the NT-1 dedicates its entire architecture to one purpose: delivering the most accurate and jitter-free digital signal possible to an outboard DAC. It carries five digital outputs including IIS-LVDS via HDMI supporting PCM up to 32-bit / 768kHz and native DSD up to 24.58MHz, along with an electrically isolated USB DAC output powered by its own independent linear power supply. A 60W toroidal transformer with multiple LDO regulators provides clean isolated power to every critical stage, while a 10MHz external clock input accepts the Matrix Audio SC-1 Reference Clock for master-clock-synchronized operation. The NT-1 is Roon Ready certified and supports Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and DLNA/UPnP over Gigabit Ethernet or a 10/100/1000 Mbps SFP fiber optic network port.

Dedicated Transport Architecture and Linear Power Supply

The NT-1 contains no D/A conversion stage. Removing the DAC entirely allows the internal architecture to be optimized purely for digital signal acquisition, processing, and output. The 60W toroidal transformer feeds multiple independent LDO regulators, each supplying a separate section of the circuit with clean, stable, low-noise voltage. The USB DAC output runs from its own dedicated independent linear power supply, completely isolated from the main processor supply, eliminating the noise that typically couples from a shared supply into the USB signal path. The NVMe SSD bay operates quietly with no moving parts, and the MA Player OS is an audio-specific Linux-based operating system developed in-house by Matrix Audio, running on the same quad-core processor hardware as the M Series streamers. Every architectural decision in the NT-1 serves one objective: protecting the integrity of the digital signal before it reaches the DAC.

Digital Outputs and External Clock System

The NT-1 provides five digital outputs. Optical Toslink, Coaxial, and AES/EBU all handle PCM up to 192kHz and DSD64 via DoP, covering the full specification of any S/PDIF-capable DAC. The IIS-LVDS output via HDMI transmits true differential I2S at up to 32-bit / 768kHz PCM and native DSD up to 24.58MHz (DSD512), bypassing S/PDIF encoding entirely for the lowest-jitter digital link available. The isolated USB DAC output supports up to PCM 32-bit / 768kHz and native DSD 24.58MHz, with the actual format ceiling determined by the connected DAC. Internally, the NT-1 inherits the exceptional clock system from the M Series, providing a high-precision, low-phase-noise reference for all digital outputs. A rear-panel 10MHz BNC external clock input accepts either sine or square wave, allowing the NT-1 to be synchronized with the Matrix Audio SC-1 Reference Clock or any compatible master clock, bypassing the internal oscillator entirely for a further reduction in phase noise and an improvement in soundstage focus and imaging.

Storage, Networking, and Streaming

The NT-1 manages a complete music library from multiple simultaneous sources. An internal M.2 NVMe SSD slot in 2242/2260/2280 form factor holds up to 4TB of local storage, served silently from a high-speed PCIe interface. Two USB 3.0 ports accept external drives with FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file systems. The NT-1 mounts NAS drives over the local network and can share its own connected storage to other streamers as a NAS, functioning as the central library hub for a multi-room or multi-component system. Network access is via Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) or an SFP port accepting a fiber optic transceiver module for galvanically isolated network connection at 10/100/1000 Mbps. Roon Ready certification makes the NT-1 a fully integrated Roon endpoint, with additional streaming support for Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, vTuner, and Radio Paradise.

Key Features

• Pure Digital Transport with No Internal DAC: The entire hardware and software architecture is optimized solely for digital signal acquisition and output, with no D/A conversion stage consuming resources or introducing analog noise into the chassis.
• IIS-LVDS Output Supporting Native DSD512 and PCM 768kHz: Differential I2S transmission via HDMI bypasses all S/PDIF encoding for the lowest-jitter digital interface, supporting 32-bit / 768kHz PCM and native DSD up to 24.58MHz to compatible DACs.
• Isolated USB DAC Output with Independent Linear Power Supply: The USB DAC output runs from its own dedicated linear power supply separate from the main processor, eliminating coupled noise from the host computer supply that degrades USB audio quality on conventional designs.
• 60W Toroidal Transformer with Multiple LDO Regulators: A full linear power supply with individual LDO voltage regulators per circuit section provides clean, stable, isolated power with no switching supply noise to any critical component.
• 10MHz External Clock Input for SC-1 Synchronization: A 50-ohm BNC external clock input accepts sine or square wave references, bypassing the internal oscillator and locking the NT-1 to a master clock for a dramatic improvement in timing accuracy, soundstage focus, and imaging.
• SFP Fiber Optic Network Port: Accepts a standard SFP transceiver for galvanically isolated fiber optic network connection at up to 1 Gbps, removing ground-loop noise and electrical interference from the upstream network infrastructure.
• Internal NVMe SSD Slot up to 4TB: M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe, 2242/2260/2280) stores up to 4TB of local music silently at high speed, with a dedicated low-noise supply and NAS sharing capability for other streamers on the network.
• Roon Ready Certification: Certified Roon endpoint with full hi-res PCM and native DSD support, alongside Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, vTuner, and Radio Paradise.
• Five Digital Outputs for Universal DAC Compatibility: Optical Toslink, Coaxial, AES/EBU, IIS-LVDS (HDMI), and USB DAC outputs cover every digital interface accepted by any modern or legacy DAC.
• MA Player OS on M Series Hardware Platform: Runs the same quad-core processor and audio-optimized MA Player Linux-based OS as the flagship M Series, controlled via the MA Remote App for iOS and Android with full library browsing and streaming service integration.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Optical Toslink Digital Output
• Coaxial Digital Output
• AES/EBU Digital Output (XLR)
• IIS-LVDS Digital Output via HDMI (PCM 768kHz / Native DSD512)
• USB DAC Output (isolated, independent linear power supply)
• RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port (10/100/1000 Mbps)
• SFP Fiber Optic Network Port (10/100/1000 Mbps)
• 10MHz External Clock Input (BNC, 50 ohm)
• 2x USB 3.0 Port (external storage)
• IEC Power Input (auto-sensing 100V-120V)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Matrix Audio NT-1?

The Matrix Audio NT-1 is a reference digital audio transport from Matrix Audio built on the M Series streaming hardware platform. It contains no internal DAC and dedicates its full 60W linear power supply, LDO regulation, and audio-optimized MA Player OS entirely to acquiring and outputting a precise digital signal. Five digital outputs include IIS-LVDS via HDMI for native DSD512 and PCM 768kHz, an isolated USB DAC output with an independent linear power supply, a 10MHz external clock input, and an SFP fiber optic network port. It is Roon Ready certified and available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York.

How does the Matrix Audio NT-1 compare to the Lumin U2 or HiFi Rose RS130?

The Matrix Audio NT-1 competes directly with reference network transport streamers such as the Lumin U2 and HiFi Rose RS130. The Lumin U2 is a transport-only streamer with a proprietary streaming platform known for its Leedh Processing volume control, while the HiFi Rose RS130 features a large touchscreen display and HDMI video output for interface-focused installations. The NT-1 differentiates with a full 60W toroidal linear power supply, an isolated USB DAC output with its own independent linear supply, a 10MHz external clock input for SC-1 synchronization, an SFP fiber optic network port, an internal NVMe SSD slot with NAS sharing functionality, and the depth of the MA Player OS ecosystem with Roon Ready, Qobuz Connect, and Tidal Connect support.

Why use a dedicated digital transport like the NT-1 instead of an all-in-one streamer with a built-in DAC?

A dedicated digital transport separates the streaming and digital processing functions from the D/A conversion stage, allowing each to be optimized independently. In an all-in-one unit, the DAC chip shares power supply rails, chassis space, and thermal load with the streaming processor, which can introduce noise and jitter into the analog output. The NT-1's architecture devotes its entire 60W linear power supply and LDO regulation network to the digital domain only, with the USB DAC output running from a completely separate power supply. The system's owner can then choose the best separate DAC for their taste and budget, upgrade either component independently, and match the NT-1's IIS-LVDS output to a DAC that accepts native I2S for the lowest-jitter possible digital connection.

What is the SFP port on the NT-1 and why does it matter?

The SFP port on the Matrix Audio NT-1 accepts a standard small form-factor pluggable fiber optic transceiver module, replacing the copper Ethernet connection with an optical one. Fiber optic transmission is inherently galvanically isolated, meaning no electrical ground connection exists between the router or network switch and the NT-1. This eliminates ground-loop noise and electrical interference that travels along copper Ethernet cables from upstream network equipment into the streamer's power supply and clock circuit. The SFP port operates at 10/100/1000 Mbps alongside the standard RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port.

How does the 10MHz external clock input improve performance on the NT-1?

The NT-1 uses a high-precision internal clock to time all digital output signals. Connecting the Matrix Audio SC-1 Reference Clock to the NT-1's 10MHz BNC input replaces the internal oscillator with the SC-1's temperature-controlled, ultra-low phase noise master reference. The NT-1 locks all digital processing and output timing to this external reference, eliminating the phase noise of the internal clock from the signal chain. The audible result is tighter soundstage imaging, improved spatial separation of instruments, and a more stable and focused stereo presentation across all five digital outputs.

Where can I buy the Matrix Audio NT-1 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Matrix Audio NT-1 is available at Vinyl Sound, located in Buffalo, New York. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer serving customers across Western New York and the United States, with expert guidance on N Series system configuration, DAC matching for the IIS-LVDS output, SC-1 clock integration, and network setup including SFP fiber transceiver selection.

Can the Matrix Audio NT-1 store and serve a local music library?

Yes. The NT-1 accepts an M.2 NVMe SSD in 2242/2260/2280 form factor with up to 4TB capacity, storing a local music library served silently at high speed from a PCIe interface. The NT-1 can also mount NAS drives over the local network and share its internal SSD or connected USB drives back to other streamers on the same network via NAS functionality. Two USB 3.0 ports accept external drives formatted in FAT, FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS, and the MA Remote App for iOS and Android provides full library browsing across all connected storage sources simultaneously.