Converting to i2s in a Matrix 2 first might improve it. No way of knowing without trying. Then you need a quality hdmi/i2s cable to realize any improvement.
If you feed a DAC with USB does XLR matter as much?
Does running XLR matter as much if you use a USB input from a streamer instead of an AES/EBU from a good transport? Or, what about converting USB to I2S (my new DAC — Musician Pegasus — has an I2S input through HDMI)? My preferred would be to just go USB into the Pegasus and XLR out from that to a fully-balanced amp, but wondering what I’ll be losing with USB input or what benefits I2S conversion might bring. Thought I read both USB and I2S were the preferred inputs on the Pegasus, but I could be wrong and welcome other thoughts/input. My guess is converting to I2S would be best, but that’s gonna require more $$$ and not sure how much added benefit I might get from it. Thanks!