Matrix Audio NT-1 Dedicated Network Transport Review: Precision Streaming for a Flagship System
Read Time: Approx. 16 min.
TL;DR:
- The NT-1 is a dedicated network transport with no internal DAC — it's built purely to deliver a cleaner, lower-jitter signal to your existing external DAC.
- A 60W linear power supply, dual-mode femtosecond clock, SFP fiber-isolated networking, and IIS-LVDS output set it apart technically from its sibling, the TT-1.
- It won't add its own "sound signature," but its timing precision, power delivery, and isolation directly shape how well your downstream gear performs.
- Doubles as a full music server — NVMe SSD storage, NAS/cloud mounting, CD ripping, and Roon Ready streaming across all major services.
- At $3,999, it's built for the audiophile who's already invested in a high-end DAC and wants a source component worthy of it — not a starter streamer.
The Unsung Hero of Your Signal Chain Built to Disappear
Every audiophile system of separates has its stars: the DAC, the amp, the speakers. But we often forget about the one element that makes it all possible: the source.
Streaming has quietly become the backbone of most modern hi-fi setups, and Matrix Audio has become a trusted name for some of the best streamers on the market. Enter the NT-1 Streaming Music Server, one of Matrix Audio's newest streaming components, designed for the audiophile who already has the perfect DAC in their setup. As a dedicated network transport with no internal DAC, it's a clever component that adds streaming capability to your existing external DAC.
The NT-1 sits alongside its sibling, the TT-1 Streaming Music Server, and at first glance, the two look nearly identical–except for a thousand-dollar price gap. That's usually where a lot of customers get stuck. But look closer, and the real differences between the two units become clear, making the decision much easier. We're peeling back those layers, reviewing the NT-1 and outlining the differences so you don't have to.
Don't Be FOOLED! These 4 Matrix Audio Streamers Are NOT the SAME
PROS
- Genuinely flexible as a hub with local and network playback
- SFP fiber isolation and IIS-LVDS outputs
- Reference-grade signal integrity
CONS
- Premium price may be more than some expect to spend on a digital transport
Design
There are some brands that, no matter how the market changes, stay steadfast in their designs. They rarely stray from what they know works, and in a sense, that's admirable. Matrix Audio has never been one of those companies. As consumer tastes change, so does Matrix Audio's gear. Six years ago, it was slim, unsuspecting components that blended into your home. Today, it's larger components that embrace a minimalist design that feels quietly futuristic.
The N Series of desktop separates embodies that futuristic look, with circular heat sinks on the side and top panels and a display screen spanning the entire front. It's a moderately sized component that can fit into an equipment rack, sit on a table, or be perched on a shelf. The unit's uniform square shape serves a purpose beyond aesthetics: it's designed to stack atop the accompanying N Series components, creating a full system of separates that looks like one complete system.
With a display screen that spans the entire front panel, Matrix Audio did away with physical buttons and opted for touchscreen buttons that appear when the screen is on and disappear when it's off. The only physical button you'll find on the front panel is a small power button in the lower left corner. Matrix Audio kept the overall functionality of the screen pretty basic–a natural decision given that most control happens in the MA Remote App. You'll see an album graphic, basic track information, playback buttons, and several side panel icons to access quick settings and view the current status of various functions, including the network connection, storage devices, NAS, and hardware.
Moving over to the back panel, you've got a full suite of digital inputs and outputs: a 10MHz external clock input, optical, coaxial, and AES/EBU outputs, a USB DAC output, two USB-A ports, a LAN port, an SFP slot, an IIS-LVDS output, a reset button, a trigger input/output, the power switch, and the power input. Of the ports on this list, there are two that stand out from the rest and add to the NT-1's overall value.
We constantly preach the importance of a stable network connection. If you can choose between Wi-Fi and wired, always choose wired. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were the "hot" features to have in your audio gear for quite some time, but over the last few years, we've shifted away from wireless and back to wired. The NT-1 deliberately avoids Wi-Fi altogether. Why? Because while it's certainly more convenient, it's not inherently better. Wi-Fi can introduce RFI that has no place in a signal chain at this level, and Matrix made the right decision by leaving it out entirely.
The expandable SFP port is a great example of that effort in action. It lets you add optical fiber or additional Ethernet ports as your setup requires. And I know you're probably asking yourself why this matters. Well, when you're streaming high-resolution music, every bit counts, and high-frequency noise and interference can infiltrate your signal and negatively impact your sound quality. The NT-1's SFP port achieves complete electrical isolation between network devices and audio equipment via fiber optic cables. This prevents any high-frequency noise or interference coming from network devices–a notorious culprit–from being transmitted through the ground wire into your audio gear. If you want to take it a step further, you can add an audio-grade network switch, like the Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro, which makes the connection even more stable and optimizes it for hi-fi streaming demands.
Then you've got the IIS-LVDS output, another newish feature taking the hi-fi industry by storm. The IIS-LVDS port outputs PCM signals with a maximum 32-bit/768kHz sampling rate, DSD64/128/256/512 signals in native DSD format, and DSD64/128/256 signals via DoP. IIS-LVDS is funny, though, because it's only compatible with other units that feature the same type of port. So if your external DAC doesn't have an IIS-LVDS port, then the output can't be used. But if it does, the NT-1's port features four kinds of IIS-LVDS pin definitions, which can be viewed and configured from the MA Remote App. There's no harm in not having an external DAC with an IIS-LVDS output; your listening experience isn't going to be any different, but it does open the door for a DAC upgrade in the future, to say a Matrix Audio DAC like the ND-1 or something from another brand with a compatible port. The benefit, however, of using the port is this: your already awesome listening experience will be even better. It transmits raw, high-resolution digital audio data directly to the external DAC without packing it into S/PDIF, USB, or optical formats, avoiding extra encoding and decoding jitter.
Then you've got the IIS-LVDS output, another newish feature taking the hi-fi industry by storm. The IIS-LVDS port outputs PCM signals with a maximum 32-bit/768kHz sampling rate, DSD64/128/256/512 signals in native DSD format, and DSD64/128/256 signals via DoP. IIS-LVDS is funny, though, because it's only compatible with other units that feature the same type of port. So if your external DAC doesn't have an IIS-LVDS port, then the output can't be used. But if it does, the NT-1's port features four kinds of IIS-LVDS pin definitions, which can be viewed and configured from the MA Remote App.
There's no harm in not having an external DAC with an IIS-LVDS output; your listening experience isn't going to be any different, but it does open the door for a DAC upgrade in the future, to say a Matrix Audio DAC like the ND-1 or something from another brand with a compatible port. The benefit, however, of using the port is this: your already awesome listening experience will be even better. It transmits raw, high-resolution digital audio data directly to the external DAC without packing it into S/PDIF, USB, or optical formats, avoiding extra encoding and decoding jitter.
Sound
When it comes to sound quality, here's what you need to know. The NT-1 doesn't have a "sound signature" in the way a DAC or speakers do–it has no internal DAC, so it's not voicing the audio itself. That sonic character comes from the external DAC you connect it to, and the headphones, IEMs, or speakers you pair it with.
What the NT-1 does influence is the foundation everything else builds on: timing precision, power delivery, electrical isolation, and digital outputs. Tiny timing variations in the digital signal sent to your DAC can cause phase noise, which negatively impacts your sound quality. Jitter can reduce soundstage depth, muddy the highs, and impact the overall timing of a song. When you're chasing sonic perfection, every last percentage of performance counts, and the NT-1's internal clock system delivers that signal with the timing stability and signal integrity that your DAC deserves. The full linear power supply keeps every stage completely separate, further reducing any noise that may creep into the unit, and that optically isolated IIS-LVDS port and SFP port pay dividends here too. So while the NT-1 doesn't have an internal DAC chip with its own sound signature, it absolutely shapes the final sonic flavor of your audio system.
I listened to the NT-1 as a complete system with the ND-1 Audio DAC and NA-1 Headphone Amplifier, and the three components together delivered incredible sonic results. Fast-paced, complex tracks are reproduced beautifully without a single misstep. Each note has room to breathe; details and nuances are captured clearly, and dynamic contrasts in music are fully realized. As I said earlier, the overall sound signature you experience will be dependent on your external DAC and the gear you listen with, but the NT-1's technical precision ensures you don't lose a single bit of that sonic fidelity along the way.
Cinnamon Girl
By Lana Del Rey
(Norman F***ing Rockwell)
Smooth Operator
By Sade
(Diamond Life)
End of Summer
By Tame Impala
(Deadbeat)
Tangerine
By Glass Animals
(How to Be a Human Being)
Features
- Hi-Fi network streaming with MA Player OS and MA Remote app for iOS/Android
- Dual USB 3.0 ports with auto CD ripping to internal storage
- NVMe SSD slot with ultra-low-noise independent power supply
- Dual-mode femtosecond clock system (internal/external) for precise audio timing
- Multiple digital outputs: Optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and IIS-LVDS
- USB DAC interface with electrical isolation for pure signal transmission
- NAS and cloud music mounting (supports Baidu Netdisk and SMB protocol)
- Smart wake-up and trigger control for automated system operation
- SFP module expansion for optical fiber or Ethernet connectivity
- Full linear power supply with 60W toroidal transformer and multiple LDOs
Rather than doing multiple things well, like a jack of all trades, the NT-1 has one sole purpose: to retrieve, clock, and deliver digital audio to your DAC or amplifier with the lowest possible noise floor and the highest possible precision. It's built on the same streaming hardware platform as the M Series components and runs the MA player OS.
What separates the NT-1 from other dedicated music streamers is the technical rigor behind the signal path. A full internal linear power supply built around a 60W toroidal transformer powers every stage independently, with separate windings for the digital processing core and the USB DAC interface. Multiple dedicated LDOs regulate clean, stable voltage to each circuit in isolation, keeping the noise floor vanishingly low across the board.
The NT-1's dual clock system gives you the ultimate flexibility to use its internal clock or one of your own. In internal mode, the NT-1 uses its built-in femtosecond clock to drive the RF synthesizer for a stable, ultra-low-phase-noise audio clock output. In external mode, an incoming clock becomes the reference, with the synthesizer outputting a phase-synchronized clock of equal precision. Now, Matrix Audio didn't add a 10MHz clock input so you can connect whatever external master clock you've got lying around. A component of this caliber demands a highly capable clock, which is why we recommend pairing it with the Matrix Audio SC-1 Audio Grade Reference Clock. When these two units come together, the result is a transport that doesn't just move data; it delivers it with the timing stability and signal integrity that high-end downstream components deserve.
Streaming & Storage All In One Place
Streaming without limits. Three simple words that encapsulate the entire listening experience. As the dedicated network streaming transport in your setup, the NT-1 integrates natively with the top streaming services and supports playback from local music libraries. It's Roon Ready and supports TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Audirvana, QPlay, QQMusic, HIGHRESAUDIO, internet radio via Radio Paradise, vTuner, and more.
Now, using the NT-1 is easier than ever, and it all starts in the MA Remote App. Available on both iOS and Android devices, the MA Remote App is arguably one of the easiest software platforms to learn and navigate. There are plenty of companies out there that do a great job of crafting the hardware, but leave the software application as an afterthought. Matrix Audio puts the user first, which I certainly appreciate, because the app is the control center of your entire listening experience.
The NT-1's capabilities go beyond streaming, doubling as a music server for storing a vast digital music collection–and you're not limited to what you can do either. You can mount a NAS drive directly to the device, connect cloud storage, such as Baidu Netdisk, or install an NVMe SSD in the dedicated NVMe SSD slot on the bottom panel for onboard capacity. That slot supports 2280, 2260, and 2242 SSDs, and a specially designed ultra-low-noise independent power supply ensures a quiet operating environment for the drive. Additionally, via SMB protocol, computers on the same network can easily access the device's storage, making it super easy to manage your music library.
If you're a physical media junkie, you can rip CDs directly to the NT-1's internal storage using a connected CD player or USB optical drive. The NT-1 will handle CD ripping automatically and organize the results in your local library. The NT-1's ability to double as a streamer and a music server is arguably one of the unit's most alluring features. It transforms the NT-1 from your run-of-the-mill digital transport into a component that grows with you and does as little or as much as you need it to at any given moment.
Comparisons
Put the NT-1 and TT-1 side by side, without any marketing materials or manuals, and there's a pretty good chance you won't be able to tell the two apart. Careful eyes may notice the subtle changes on the back panel, but even then those differences are marginal. It's a strange position to be in as a buyer: two products that look nearly identical, have two vastly different price points, yet are built around fairly different priorities under the hood. You might be inclined to pick the TT-1 based on price alone, but what if you actually need the added power and performance of the NT-1? That's why we're breaking down the differences between the NT-1 and TT-1 so you can make an informed buying decision from the start.
What they both have:
- No built-in DAC or analog outputs
- Both run Matrix Audio MA Player platform
- Both output to an external DAC via USB, I2S, AES, coax, or optical
- Support high-res local/network playback & Roon Ready streaming
- Automatic CD ripping and playback support
- Two USB 3.0 ports for storage or a USB CD drive
- Underside M.2 NVMe SSD slot with SMB file sharing
What the NT-1 has that the TT-1 doesn't:
- Built-in linear power supply
- 10MHz external clock input
- SFP network port
- Isolated USB DAC power path
- Internal clock architecture with external mode
- Larger, heavier chassis
The TT-1 uses a wide-voltage internal switching power supply with a 12V DC input to bypass or supplement the standard AC supply with an external linear supply of more wattage. The NT-1 has a more elaborate, built-in 60W toroidal transformer linear power supply with multiple LDO regulators. The TT-1 uses two ultra-low-phase-noise femtosecond clocks. The NT-1 advances this to a dual-mode clock system with an internal femtosecond clock and an external 10MHz clock input.
While the NT-1 is not more capable in the streaming department than the TT-1, it has a leg up in performance as the more ambitious, fully integrated platform for lowering electrical noise, adding clock-system flexibility, and supporting fiber-network isolation. Deciding between the NT-1 and TT-1 really comes down to this: if you're an audiophile who's invested in building the perfect system of separates, optimizing signal chains, adding isolation products, high-quality cables, and more, then the NT-1 is the natural fit.
For listeners who want a clean, capable digital source without constant tweaking, but with the option to do so down the line, the TT-1 is a straightforward choice. It's not that it's the lesser of the two; it's just a slightly different option for a different consumer. It doesn't have an external clock input, SFP network port, or built-in linear power supply–all valuable features in a system–but if you're just getting started and not prioritizing all the nuances yet, the TT-1 makes more sense.
The NT-1 is a flagship digital transport for a flagship audio system.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon Network Cable, Silver Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable]
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs. what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon Audio Cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.
Why Dragon Cables?
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand new audiophile-grade headphone or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock audio cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the audio cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the purest and best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe that materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that. Dragon Cables elevate every note - as if you were hearing your favorite music for the very first time.
Verdict
At $3,999, the Matrix Audio NT-1 Streaming Music Server reshapes how you enjoy your music. It brings a modern, expansive sound stage to your existing hi-fi system, delivering digital audio to your DAC with as little noise and jitter standing in the way as possible. It's a flagship transport for the serious audiophile who refuses to compromise on performance. Connect it to your DAC, pair it with the MA Remote App, and your entire streaming library–local or cloud, lossless or hi-res–is handled with the care it deserves.
If you've already put in the work building out a system of separates, optimizing your signal chain, and chasing diminishing returns everywhere else, the NT-1 is the missing piece that lets the rest of your gear finally perform the way it was designed to. It won't add color or character of its own. What it will do is get out of the way and let your DAC, your amplifier, and your speakers do the talking. For the audiophile who's ready to close that final gap, the NT-1 is worth every bit of the investment.
If you're on the road to audio perfection and are taking the steps to optimize your system, have you given any thought to the audio cables you're using? If you're considering the NT-1, the natural next step is to upgrade the stock cables to one of our Dragon Audio Cables, like the Silver Dragon Network Cable and Silver Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable. Built with the highest-quality materials we can source, they'll provide the stability the NT-1 needs to perform at its very best.
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What's in the Box
- NT-1 Streaming Music Server
- Power Cable
- Printed Material
Specifications
Weight: 4.6 kg (10.14 pounds)
Dimensions: Width: 330 mm (12.99 inches), Depth: 267 mm (10.51 inches), Height: 97 mm (3.82 inches)
Storage Extension: M.2 2280 / 2260 / 2242 NVMe PCIe SSD slot x1 | Maximum Power: DC 3.3V/3A
External Clock Input: 10MHz / 50Ω / Sine wave or square wave input
Controller App: MA Remote App
Network - LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps
Network - SFP: 10/100/1000 Mbps
Trigger Input: DC 6-12V <10mA
Trigger Output: DC 12V/50mA
Power Voltage: AC 100V-120V 50/60Hz or AC 220V-240V 50/60Hz
Standby Power Consumption: <5W
Maximum Power Consumption: <50W
USB Ports:
USB 3.0 x 2
Maximum Power: 5V/1A per port
Supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file formats
Compatible with USB mass storage devices
USB DAC Output:
Depends on connected USB DAC device specifications
Maximum: PCM 32Bit/768kHz and DSD 24.58MHz
Power Supply: 5V/1A low-noise
Digital Output – COAXIAL, OPTICAL & AES/EBU:
PCM 16-24Bit/44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)
Digital Output – IIS LVDS:
PCM 16-32Bit/44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.82MHz, 3.07MHz, 5.64MHz, 6.14MHz, 11.29MHz, 12.29MHz, 22.58MHz, 24.58MHz
Local Playback Formats:
MP3, WMA, WAV, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE, ISO
PCM 16-24Bit/44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.82MHz, 3.07MHz, 5.64MHz, 6.14MHz, 11.29MHz, 12.29MHz, 22.58MHz, 24.58MHz
Roon Ready:
PCM 16-24Bit/44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.82MHz, 5.64MHz, 11.29MHz, 22.58MHz
Streaming Services: QQMusic, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner, Radio Paradise (Audio specifications depend on the service provider)
