Why an audio grade network stage matters
If your music lives on a streamer, a NAS or the cloud, the Ethernet path is part of your signal chain. Ordinary consumer switches and routers are designed for throughput and cost, not for the low noise environment that a high resolution digital source appreciates. Matrix Audio approaches the network the same way it approaches its DAC and streamer designs, treating it as a place where electrical noise and timing can be managed before the data reaches your streamer or transport.
Specifications compared
| Specification | SI-1 | SS-1 | SS-1 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Audio grade network isolator | Audio grade network switch | Audio grade network switch |
| Configuration | None required, plug and play | — | — |
| Power Supply | — | — | Filtered supply for low noise operation |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 120 x 44 x 205 mm (4.72 x 1.73 x 8.07 inches) | 280 x 58.5 x 206 mm (11.02 x 2.30 x 8.11 inches) | 330 x 58.5 x 235 mm (12.99 x 2.30 x 9.25 inches) |
| Weight | 1.54kg (3.39 pounds) | 2.3kg (5.07 pounds) | 3.4kg (7.50 pounds) |
| Chassis | — | — | Aluminum enclosure |
| Clocking | — | High-precision internal clock | High precision internal clock for network timing |
| Connectors | RJ45 | — | — |
| Ethernet Ports | — | 2x 100Mbps RJ45 and 4x 2.5Gbps RJ45 | — |
| External Clock Input | — | None (10MHz external clock input is "Exclusive on SS-1 Pro") | 10MHz / 50Ω impedance / Sine wave or square wave input (exclusive on SS-1 Pro) |
| Function | Galvanic isolation of the Ethernet network path | Network noise reduction and isolation ahead of a streamer | Noise reduction and reclocking ahead of a streamer |
| Galvanic Isolation | — | — | Yes, on the network path |
| Isolation Method | Photoelectric (optical) isolation on the isolated RJ45 port | — | — |
| LED Indicators | One LED for power status on the front panel; on the back panel each LAN port has 2 LEDs for speed, link & activity | 1x LED - Power/Status; each LAN port has 2 LEDs - Speed, Link & Activity | 1x LED - Power/Status; 2x LED - Clock mode (SS-1 Pro only); each LAN port has 2 LEDs - Speed, Link & Activity |
| Max MAC entries | 2K MAC address table | 16K MAC address table | 16K MAC address table |
| Network Ports | — | — | 2x 100Mbps RJ45 and 6x 2.5Gbps RJ45 |
| Placement | — | Upstream of a network streamer or transport | — |
| Ports | 1 x 1Gbps/100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45; 1 x 1Gbps/100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45 (Photoelectric isolation) | 2x 100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45; 4x 2.5Gbps/1Gbps/100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45; 2x 10Gbps SFP/SFP+ | 2x 100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45; 6x 2.5Gbps/1Gbps/100Mbps/10Mbps RJ45; 2x 10Gbps SFP/SFP+ |
| Power | — | — | Power Supply Type: Auto voltage range linear power supply; Power Consumption < 15W |
| Power - AC Input | — | Power Supply Type: Wide voltage input switching power supply; Power Consumption < 15W | — |
| Power - DC Input | — | External power voltage DC 12V ±10%; external power wattage Larger than 18W; power plug outer diameter 5.5mm, inner diameter 2.1mm (+ for inner, - for outer) | — |
| Power Consumption | < 15W | — | — |
| Power Voltage | AC 100V-120V 50/60Hz or AC 220V-240V 50/60Hz, factory-fixed | — | — |
| SFP Ports | — | 2x 10Gbps SFP/SFP+ (accepts fiber or RJ45 modules) | 2x 10Gbps SFP/SFP+ (accepts fiber or RJ45 modules) |
| Standards and Protocol | IEEE 802.3: 10BASE-T | IEEE 802.3: 10BASE-T | IEEE 802.3: 10BASE-T |
One important point to set expectations correctly. A network switch, isolator or clock does not make sound on its own. It serves the digital chain by cleaning and conditioning the connection ahead of your streamer, which is where the music is actually rendered. Think of these devices as infrastructure that supports a resolving source rather than as a source themselves.
The shared Matrix Audio design in this category
Across this lineup, Matrix Audio focuses on two goals that are common in audio grade network products. The first is galvanic isolation, which breaks the direct electrical connection along the Ethernet line so that noise carried on the network does not ride straight into your listening system. The second is careful timing and low noise operation on the network stage, so the data handed off to your streamer arrives in a clean, well ordered state.
All three products use standard RJ45 connections, so they drop into an existing network without special cabling. Where they differ is in how much they do and how far they take the low noise philosophy, which is what determines the right choice for your setup.
The models by tier
Entry point: the SI-1 isolator
The Matrix Audio SI-1 is a dedicated audio grade network isolator. It has one Ethernet in and one Ethernet out, and its single job is transformer based galvanic isolation of the network line. There is no configuration required, so it is genuinely plug and play. You place it inline, typically just ahead of your streamer, and it interrupts the electrical noise path along that connection.
The SI-1 is the most focused device in the group. It is not a switch and it does not add ports, so it suits the listener who already has a switch or router in a good spot and simply wants to insert isolation on the final hop to a streamer or transport.
The switch: the SS-1
The Matrix Audio SS-1 is an audio grade network switch. It offers multiple RJ45 ports, galvanic isolation on the network stage and a high precision internal clock for network timing. This combination means it can sit upstream of a network streamer or transport and act as the last active node before your source, reducing network noise while providing several connections for the devices in your rack.
Compared with the SI-1, the SS-1 does more. It is both a switch and an isolator, and it adds internal clocking to the equation. If you have more than one networked audio device, or you want a single low noise switch dedicated to your listening system, the SS-1 is the natural centerpiece.
The reference within the range: the SS-1 Pro
The Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro is the most complete device in this category. It is an audio grade network switch and isolator with Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet, galvanic isolation on the network path and a high precision internal clock for network timing. It goes further with a filtered power supply engineered for low noise operation and an aluminum enclosure that supports its role as a reference network component.
Within the same Matrix Audio range, the SS-1 Pro sits above the SS-1. It shares the switch and isolation concept and then extends it with its dedicated attention to clean power and build. For a system where the network stage is treated as a serious link in the chain, the Pro is the model that leaves the least on the table.
Which should you buy by scenario
You already have a good switch and want to isolate the last hop
Choose the SI-1. It is the simplest way to add transformer based galvanic isolation on the connection running directly into your streamer, with nothing to configure.
You want one low noise switch dedicated to your audio system
Choose the SS-1. With multiple ports, galvanic isolation and an internal clock for network timing, it can serve as the dedicated hub for your streamer, transport and other networked gear in the rack.
You are building a reference digital front end
Choose the SS-1 Pro. Its Gigabit ports, isolation, internal clock, filtered low noise power supply and aluminum chassis make it the model to pair with a resolving streamer and DAC when you want the network stage handled to the fullest within this lineup.
You have both a main system and a second networked source
An SS-1 or SS-1 Pro can serve as the central audio switch for your listening room, while an SI-1 is an economical way to add isolation on a secondary run. Match the level of the switch to the level of the system it feeds so the investment stays sensible.
How these fit with the rest of your chain
Remember that these devices support your source rather than replace it. They are most rewarding when they feed a capable Matrix Audio streamer or DAC, where the clean, isolated network handoff can be put to good use by the FPGA processing and clocking on those components. If your streamer and DAC are already resolving, tidying the network stage is a logical next step, and the choice between the SI-1, SS-1 and SS-1 Pro comes down to how many connections you need and how far you want to take the low noise design.
Come have a listen
AEA is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer with a showroom in Timonium, MD. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please contact us to arrange a listen and we will help you match the right network isolator or switch to your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I choose if I already have a good switch and want to isolate the last hop?
Choose the SI-1. It is the simplest way to add transformer based galvanic isolation on the connection running directly into your streamer, with nothing to configure.
Which should I choose if I want one low noise switch dedicated to your audio system?
Choose the SS-1. With multiple ports, galvanic isolation and an internal clock for network timing, it can serve as the dedicated hub for your streamer, transport and other networked gear in the rack.
Which should I choose if I am building a reference digital front end?
Choose the SS-1 Pro. Its Gigabit ports, isolation, internal clock, filtered low noise power supply and aluminum chassis make it the model to pair with a resolving streamer and DAC when you want the network stage handled to the fullest within this lineup.
Which should I choose if I have both a main system and a second networked source?
An SS-1 or SS-1 Pro can serve as the central audio switch for your listening room, while an SI-1 is an economical way to add isolation on a secondary run. Match the level of the switch to the level of the system it feeds so the investment stays sensible.