Wow. Perhaps the best compliment possible. That’s exactly the goal we started with: no difference (finally!) in delivering digital audio.
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very happy with this incredible addition to my system. this puts the network streaming input on my current DAC into permanent retirement. PS needs to add a button that inserts crackles pops and rumble. i,m now going to be beta testing the stellar gold preamp and dac. I have a Mytek Manhattan II currently in my system. I was considering purchasing The MK2 but Caleb in sales suggested the combo would be a better solution opposed to running the MK2 standalone. Looking forward to listening to the new gear once it arrives.
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everything is sorted out. Im now able to distinguish individual voices in background vocals buried in the mix. Plus that annoying glare and grain that was the watermark of streaming and pc usb is finally gone.
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My experience with the AirLens started as a Beta Tester a few months back. I have it connected to the DirectStream MKII DAC via HDMI cable. it sounded wonderful right out of the box. Then when the Mount Massive update came to the MKII DAC my system with the Perfect Wave SACD Transport and the AirLens went to another level of sonic bliss. I couldn’t;t be happier. I too have had plenty of streamer transports and streamer/dacs in my system and the combo of the AirLens and MKII DAC especially after the Mount Massive update to the MKII is by far the best I’ve ever had for streaming.
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How does the sound of the Airlens compare with the transport?
My guess is the Transport has a noticeable advantage, but when you are streaming, it isn’t suffering. That’s how it is with my setup.
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For what its worth, on balance, I tend to prefer listening to my files through JRiver Media Center and the AirLens (Bridge II previously) over listening to the CDs the files came from on my PSA DirectStream Memory Player. This includes the data from SACDs when they are made available.
In addition, I generally prefer files and spinning discs to file streamed from the internet care of Qobuz and Tidal (whether through there applications or piggy-backed on/through Roon). This preference can vary depending upon the quality of the recording available on Qobuz and Tidal vs. what I have on hand, but local files generally seem “better” to me.
I also prefer JRMC over Roon for rendering my local files. 
Probably time for me go back and see if this is just a bias or more universally true with some concerted listening but I am too busy messing around with other potential incremental improvements to the system.
FWIW.
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You prefer this because of convenience or because of audio quality?
Edit: Closer reading and I see that you feel the local files sound better. Thank you.
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They are remarkably close with the PST having a slight edge.
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My first Findings:
Components Used:
- PSA - Direct stream MK-I
- PSA - 2xM700 + 1 X S300 Bi-amp System
- PSA- P3 powerplant
- PSA - Airlens
- Project X10 Cadenza Black + Moon Phono Preamp + ADC Hifi rose RS250A
- Heresy III-Limited edition
- 2 x SB16 SVS Subs
- Tuned with Art Novion Acoustics
- AO I2S connection (AO cables)
- Viablue Air Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Findings:
During the initial days of use, I noticed a clear brilliance in the high tones but a reduced depth in the low tones. However, after streaming my system continuously for 7 days and subsequently using it daily for 3 weeks, I observed that the bass line regained its tightness. Moreover, the musical clarity has enhanced, further emphasized by a quieter background.
In the beginning, I was doubtful about proceeding with the purchase. This was because I felt the overall sound quality seemed to decline initially. Yet, after an extended break-in period, I realized that the quality stabilized and even improved, which justified the investment for me.
As a suggestion, I would have preferred if PSA had included an external linear power supply, even if it came at an additional cost. From my past experiences with brands like “Brooklyn,” I know that it can significantly improve the performance of streamers and DACs.
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3 posts were merged into an existing topic: PS Audio AirLens
I was using DS Mk 1 with Bridge 2
Added Airlens to DS Mk 1. Right out of the box improved bass response, air between instruments, timing and pace. On the downside there was an edge to female vocals which was quite unnatural
Perhaps 200 hours of use later, the edge is gone. You know you are more engaged with the sound when you can sit back and let the music wash over you with your foot tapping away.
I did not remove the Bridge 2- easy enough to do. Not sure if this would result in further improvement
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It should. Give it a try.
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Remove it. It actually helps quite a lot.
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3 posts were merged into an existing topic: Modding the DirectStream DAC MKI
I just have maybe 30 hours burn in procedure behind me with the Purist Audio Sytem Enhancer file and (while the connected power cord costs much more than the Airlens) initially I just use an Audioquest Carbon until my preferred cable supplier offers a HDMI cable …but anyway the Airlens has much better defined and controlled bass, more open top end, more ambient information, air and also clarity than the Bridge II. So a clear winner! Needs new subwoofer configuration and measurements/listening tests from start due to the different bass performance. And it’s a really nice looking package (have black). Used with LAN cable, not wifi as well as Bridge II removed. I will be able to make a comparison with the Auralic Aries 2.2 at a later time after fully burned in.
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Hooked up I2S to GCD, removed usb cable from laptop, configured JRiver. Wow!
An absolute drastic improvement in SQ. Noise gone, channel separation way better. Highs totally different. Love it.
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Jazznut, looking forward to your Auralic Aries comparison
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Yes, I will provide (a rough comparison), I just have to manage expectations, as the surrounding from where both play will not be exactly the same, as the one will play from JRiver,and the other by its own software and I meanwhile know, how noticeable differences can be. And both might have slightly different signal path tuning. This kind of tuning both have, takes them far from a stock model in terms of resolution, air, 3D, bass precision, decay, impulses and more, in a way one would hands down prefer a tuned Stellar integrated to a stock BHK300 (except maybe for the power handling). But results of the comparison will be halfway transferable.
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