We’re launching the official beta program for LANRover, the pair of little boxes that transforms your computer/DAC into something extraordinary.
This is one product I cannot live without in Music Room One.
LANRover is the Power Plant of USB audio. It solves one of the most basic of connection issues we Audiophiles face: attaching a noisy, jitter prone computer to a quiet sensitive DAC.
USB is a great protocol for many things, and computers are great for many tasks too, but when they are connected to a DAC there’s usually trouble in the form of noise and ground issues. LANRover solves all that in a unique way. Plus, LANRover allows you to use your home network to transport the USB signal so you can have your computer in one room, the DAC and listening room in another.
We’re launching a beta test for those interested in participating. We’d like to keep it to the US, but there may be a few overseas exceptions allowed depending on country. LANRover pairs will ship this month the participating beta testers.
Here’s the rules:
Beta testers purchase their beta samples at a small discount from the $599 retail.
PS ships the beta pair to you at our expense.
You have the right to return the beta unit for a full refund if it isn't what you thought it to be.
Beta testers must all post their evaluation (review actually) of the unit in their system on this forum. This is a public forum and for better or worse, we want the world to know your experience.
That's about it. If you're interested in being on the beta team, email me and I'll forward to the right folks who will then contact you shortly.
I think this is exactly the kind of product I needed due to the conditions of my space (I shall aptly name it “Room 0.01”)!
Disappointed though that I can’t be a beta tester as I reside outside of (and thousands of miles away from) the US, but I heard my dealer in Argentina is getting a pair or two. So I most definitely ask Marcelo if I can borrow it for an hour and see how it works its magic -then coerce him into selling
I know this “type” of product has sort of been produced by other companies, and I know this is one in particular that hasn’t actually been originated by PS Audio. But thanks guys for addressing the USB issues -I think it was well necessary.
I am using a Bryston BDP-2 as my computer going into my Direct Stream Dac via USB.
Will the LANRover work with the Bryston? My Bryston is connected to my wireless router via 2 Ethernet cables. I control the playlist with my laptop or tablet wirelessly.
On the LANRover I see it has 2 Ethernet inputs but only one usb. How would I connect the Bryston to the LANRover?
Paul, I emailed you. Please add me to the Beta Testing list. I also am curious to see if it will work with the NuWave Phono Converter I have. That would be awesome if it did.
I am using a Bryston BDP-2 as my computer going into my Direct Stream Dac via USB.
Will the LANRover work with the Bryston? My Bryston is connected to my wireless router via 2 Ethernet cables. I control the playlist with my laptop or tablet wirelessly.
On the LANRover I see it has 2 Ethernet inputs but only one usb. How would I connect the Bryston to the LANRover?
Absolutely - and it’ll help tremendously. The BDP-2 is but a computer in a nice box with a good power supply.
Pre-amp is awesome. I have tried 100 + pieces of music and everything sounds better. I have replaced my standard pre-amp a Krell KRC. The Krell is hard to beat. I would love to beta test LANRover and I would also love to beta test NEW TRANSPORT when it is ready. Any additional info you need, let me know.
Fedreams said
Would this work over a wireless network? Let's say an Airport Extreme to Airport Time Capsule?
No, it will not. Though we have successfully run it over a wireless network, as well as one of those devices that uses the home's AC wiring, neither is something I would recommend because it seems quite spotty.
I am using a Bryston BDP-2 as my computer going into my Direct Stream Dac via USB.
Will the LANRover work with the Bryston? My Bryston is connected to my wireless router via 2 Ethernet cables. I control the playlist with my laptop or tablet wirelessly.
On the LANRover I see it has 2 Ethernet inputs but only one usb. How would I connect the Bryston to the LANRover?
Absolutely - and it’ll help tremendously. The BDP-2 is but a computer in a nice box with a good power supply.
Paul, Thanks for the reply. On the LANRover I see it has 2 Ethernet inputs for connecting them together, But how do I attaché the LANRover to the Bryston? Is it via wirelessly?
Ozzy, the usb cable that is plugged into your Bryston , will be plugged in to the first LANRover, an Ethernet cable goes from the first LANRover to the second LANRover, the usb cable from that second unit goes into your dac.
The second LANRover also has a jack for the provided power supply. The first LANRover runs off the power from your usb cable.
If you go to the products page under accessories you will find a full description of what it does, how it does it, and how you hook it up. The LANRover has the ability/option to be hooked up to your network.
I was thinking they could have put it in one box, but you would then lose the network option and the ability to place the first unit in a whole different part of the house. Separating your noisy computer or Nas completely away from the listening room. It is quite versatile, and being optimized for audio it promises excellent sound quality.
Could you please help us with where in the product line this fits with regards to the Bridge? I’ve been considering adding a bridge for some time but now this comes along at a better price point. For me a sound quality comparison would be most helpfull as both are positioned to avoid USB issues.
jeffstarr said
Ozzy, the usb cable that is plugged into your Bryston , will be plugged in to the first LANRover, an Ethernet cable goes from the first LANRover to the second LANRover, the usb cable from that second unit goes into your dac.
The second LANRover also has a jack for the provided power supply. The first LANRover runs off the power from your usb cable.
If you go to the products page under accessories you will find a full description of what it does, how it does it, and how you hook it up. The LANRover has the ability/option to be hooked up to your network.
I was thinking they could have put it in one box, but you would then lose the network option and the ability to place the first unit in a whole different part of the house. Separating your noisy computer or Nas completely away from the listening room. It is quite versatile, and being optimized for audio it promises excellent sound quality.
Thank you. I only saw one usb connection within the 2 units. But, now I see one unit has usb-A and the other usb-B that makes sense.
HI Paul. I’m very excited the LANRover is almost a reality. I’m wondering if the quality of the USB cables makes a difference. For example, if I already have an “audiophile” USB cable (such as a JCAT), should it be used between my computer and the first box or between the second box and my DirectStream DAC? I’m guessing you’re going to say it doesn’t make any difference (or that the “quality” doesn’t matter), but I would like to know what you think. Thanks!
Could you please help us with where in the product line this fits with regards to the Bridge? I’ve been considering adding a bridge for some time but now this comes along at a better price point. For me a sound quality comparison would be most helpfull as both are positioned to avoid USB issues.
Thanks in advance.
The Bridge is still a better sounding option, but the gap closes dramatically. Use the Bridge when it’s ok to put up with UPnP - which can be limiting to those who don’t want to use JRiver, MConnect, or any of the half dozen or so UPnP controllers and servers. If your system is NAS based, for example, and you don’t have a computer in the mix, the Bridge is by far the best choice.
But, if you’re computer based and simply want better sound, or want to use Roon, then LANRover’s the better choice.
rvw1951 said
HI Paul. I'm very excited the LANRover is almost a reality. I'm wondering if the quality of the USB cables makes a difference. For example, if I already have an "audiophile" USB cable (such as a JCAT), should it be used between my computer and the first box or between the second box and my DirectStream DAC? I'm guessing you're going to say it doesn't make any difference (or that the "quality" doesn't matter), but I would like to know what you think. Thanks!
Yup, as Steve mentions, the important one is between the LANRover receiver and the DAC. The one between the computer and the LANRover transmitter isn't as important.
jeffstarr said
Ozzy, the usb cable that is plugged into your Bryston , will be plugged in to the first LANRover, an Ethernet cable goes from the first LANRover to the second LANRover, the usb cable from that second unit goes into your dac.
The second LANRover also has a jack for the provided power supply. The first LANRover runs off the power from your usb cable.
If you go to the products page under accessories you will find a full description of what it does, how it does it, and how you hook it up. The LANRover has the ability/option to be hooked up to your network.
I was thinking they could have put it in one box, but you would then lose the network option and the ability to place the first unit in a whole different part of the house. Separating your noisy computer or Nas completely away from the listening room. It is quite versatile, and being optimized for audio it promises excellent sound quality.
Hi Jeff. I own a BDP-1, and the manual for the BDP-2 articulates the USB A connection(s) is an input. Will the USB port also function bi-directionally as an output? Thanks. Robert
