Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro

Overview

The Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro is an audio grade network switch and isolator built to sit between your home network and your streaming source. It does not produce sound on its own. Instead, it cleans and reclocks the Ethernet feed reaching a streamer or network transport, reducing the packet timing jitter and high frequency electrical noise that ride along on typical consumer networking gear. The result is a quieter, more stable digital signal handed off to the components that actually convert it to music.

As the more ambitious member of the SS series, the SS-1 Pro adds galvanic isolation and a higher grade internal clock along with careful power supply filtering, addressing two of the most common noise paths in a digital chain: conducted noise across the network cable and clock timing instability. Its ports are designed so a noisy segment of your network can be isolated from the critical last hop to your streamer, keeping router and computer noise from reaching sensitive playback electronics.

The SS-1 Pro is for listeners who have invested in a capable streamer or transport and want to extract the last measure of low level detail, image stability, and background silence from their system. It integrates naturally with Matrix Audio streamers and transports and works equally well ahead of any network connected source.

Key Features

• Audio grade network switch and isolator designed to lower network noise ahead of a streamer
• Galvanic isolation on the network path to block conducted electrical noise from routers and computers
• High precision internal clock for stable, low jitter Ethernet timing
• Careful power supply filtering to keep supply noise out of the network stage
• Positioned as the last clean hop between your network and your streaming source
• Standard RJ45 Ethernet ports for straightforward integration into any home network
• Pairs naturally with Matrix Audio MS and TS streamers and TT-1 and NT-1 transports
• Solid, low resonance chassis for stable operation and quiet performance
• Improves image focus, background silence, and low level detail retrieval in digital playback

How the SS-1 Pro Compares

Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro vs Matrix Audio SS-1

The SS-1 is the more compact, entry point into Matrix Audio network noise reduction and is an excellent first upgrade ahead of a streamer. The SS-1 Pro steps up with more thorough galvanic isolation, higher grade clocking, and additional power supply filtering. Choose the SS-1 for a focused, value oriented clean up, or the SS-1 Pro when you want the fullest measure of isolation for a resolving system. See the Matrix Audio SS-1.

Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro vs Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro

The Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro pairs an eight port audiophile switch with an external linear power supply, favoring an approach centered on clean power delivery across many ports. The SS-1 Pro instead emphasizes galvanic isolation and clocking on the final hop to your source. Both aim at a quieter network stage, so the choice comes down to whether you value multi port flexibility with a linear supply or a focused, isolated last hop. See the Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro.

Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro vs Silent Angel Bonn N8C

The Bonn N8C is an eight port audiophile grade switch built to serve as a central hub for a network with several connected devices. The SS-1 Pro is designed as the isolated, reclocked final stage immediately before your streamer or transport. Consider the N8C when you need many clean ports at the core of your network, and the SS-1 Pro when you want to purify the single critical link feeding your playback source. See the Silent Angel Bonn N8C.

Works With These Matrix Audio Components

The SS-1 Pro shows its value when it feeds a capable Matrix Audio streamer or transport, delivering a quieter, more stable network signal to the components that convert it to music.

• Matrix Audio MS-1 The flagship MS-1 streamer and DAC responds strongly to a cleaner network feed, and the SS-1 Pro helps its low level detail and background silence come through.
• Matrix Audio TS-1 As a streamer, DAC, and headphone amplifier, the TS-1 benefits from lower network noise ahead of its digital stage for cleaner, more focused playback.
• Matrix Audio NT-1 The reference NT-1 transport passes a purely digital signal downstream, so a quieter, reclocked network hop from the SS-1 Pro pays direct dividends.
• Matrix Audio TT-1 The TT-1 transport relies entirely on the incoming network stream, making the SS-1 Pro a natural upstream partner for lower noise and better timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro do?
It is an audio grade network switch and isolator that cleans and reclocks the Ethernet feed reaching your streamer, lowering network noise and timing jitter ahead of digital playback.

Does the SS-1 Pro make sound on its own?
No. It does not produce audio. It sits in the network path and improves the signal that your streamer or transport then converts to music.

How can a network switch affect sound quality?
Consumer networking gear passes along electrical noise and timing jitter to your streamer. By isolating and reclocking the last network hop, the SS-1 Pro reduces those artifacts, which can improve image focus, background silence, and low level detail.

Where should the SS-1 Pro be placed in my system?
Place it as the final network hop, connected directly to your streamer or transport with a short Ethernet cable, so it purifies the critical link feeding your playback source.

What is galvanic isolation and why does it matter here?
Galvanic isolation electrically separates two sides of the network path, blocking conducted noise from routers and computers so it does not reach sensitive playback electronics.

Does the SS-1 Pro include an internal clock?
Yes. It uses a high precision internal clock to provide stable, low jitter timing for the Ethernet signal passing through it.

Will the SS-1 Pro work with any streamer?
Yes. It uses standard RJ45 Ethernet ports, so it works ahead of any network connected source, though it pairs especially naturally with Matrix Audio streamers and transports.

How is the SS-1 Pro different from the SS-1?
Within the same series, the SS-1 Pro adds more thorough galvanic isolation, higher grade clocking, and additional power supply filtering compared with the more compact SS-1.

Do I need special cables to use it?
Standard Ethernet cables work. Many listeners use a short, good quality cable on the final hop from the SS-1 Pro to the streamer for the cleanest handoff.

Can I use the SS-1 Pro with a wired network only?
It is designed for wired Ethernet connections, which are preferred for streaming audio because they provide a stable, lower noise path to your source.

Will it improve TIDAL, Qobuz, and Roon playback?
It improves the network signal reaching your streamer regardless of the service, so streaming from any source can benefit from the reduced noise and jitter.

Does the SS-1 Pro support high resolution audio?
It is format agnostic because it operates on the network layer, so it passes any resolution your streamer supports while cleaning the signal path.

Is the SS-1 Pro a good match for the Matrix Audio MS-1?
Yes. A resolving streamer and DAC like the MS-1 benefits from a quieter, reclocked network feed, letting more of its low level detail and image stability come through.

Can it feed a digital transport like the TT-1 or NT-1?
Yes. Transports pass a purely digital signal downstream, so a cleaner network hop from the SS-1 Pro is a natural and worthwhile upstream partner.

How many devices can I connect?
The SS-1 Pro is intended as a focused, isolated final hop to your source. If you need a central hub with many audiophile grade ports, consider a larger multi port switch elsewhere in your network.

Does the SS-1 Pro require any setup or software?
No configuration is needed. It works transparently in the network path with no app or software required to deliver its noise reduction.

What is included in the box?
The switch ships with its power supply or cable, an Ethernet cable, and a quick start guide.

Is the SS-1 Pro worth adding if I already have a good streamer?
If you have invested in a capable streamer or transport, the SS-1 Pro helps extract the last measure of detail and background silence by cleaning the network signal feeding it.

What warranty does the SS-1 Pro carry?
It carries a one year parts and labor warranty from Matrix Audio for the original owner when purchased from an authorized dealer.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer in Maryland, so you receive a genuine product with full warranty support, expert setup guidance, and honest advice on building the right digital front end for your system.