Haha, I had to check what Raspberry PI 4 do first because I have never used one.
I did find some good raspberry recipes. 
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Just messing around.
Makes sense. Thatâs the first time Iâve heard the theory that AL lacking USB output made perfect sense for original DS Sr (at least if you take a PSA-centric view that AL mainly for PSA dacs as many have said), where its USB input was poor, and since that is when most of AL development occurred (calendar-wise anyway), you are probably on to something, and maybe they got too far down the road to change it despite the new dac now have a better USB input than i2S (at least according to your testing - fwiw I think Ted and other testers have called mk2 i2s and USB inputs equals).
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Congrats on snagging to ds2! sounds like a cool setup youâre aiming for with the airlens. even if thatâs not ready yet, going usb from your self-built serveer should work fine, especially if itâs optimized for ethernet
Agree. Although the complete design for implementing noise free usb was available, apparently through all the parts problems hickups, PSA never considered updating the AL design to come up to par with the Mk2 design and therewith provide a wider range of connectivity (with either choice for PSA owners and/or better market conformity) for the AL.
The AL maybe good, or even really good, to me these features (or lack thereof) seem to make it a âone trick ponyâ, limiting the potential market and used market. Thoughts for an AL II ?
This pretty much sums up my experience during the MK2 Beta. I think what people are experiencing with the AirLens is that many of them are stepping up from devices like Holo Reds and Matrix. The AL is a better streamer then either. But for those that have a USB streamer at the same price or above the ALâs cost, they already know USB can be just as good or better then I2S.
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You are probably right. AL with USB will require additional design and cost, not to mention more delay too.
I believe USB and I2S inputs are both excellent and may be equal for DS MK2, the preference I have for USB could be due to cable difference alone.
The well designed inputs should all sound similar, I do not think one particular input is superior than another.
There are more excellent USB cables around because USB has been around longer and more widely used in DAC than HDMI i2s input. Therefore, I think the best USB cables are probably better than what is availabe from I2S cable now. HDMI cables are known for TV/HT usage than hi-end audio.
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I have my Roon Nucleus+ connected to my DS Mk2 using both USB and the new AirLens (the latter of which just replaced a Holo Audio Red streamer/DDC).
The Nucleus+ is connected to my router through an Innuous PhoenixNET switch.
The USB chain is a Synergistic Research Reference USB to an Sbooster powered Uptone ISO Regen and then to the Mk2 via a Curious Evolved USB link.
The AIrLens is connected to the Nuckeus+ via the PhoenixNET switch with Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 Ethernet cable and to the Mk2 with a Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB cable.
I consider this to be a pretty fair fight, and indeed, during last nightâs listening session (with only about 60 hours on the AirLens) it was very closeâso close that I struggle to describe the differences. Both connections deliver music from a dead quiet background with abundant detail and an expansive soundstage.
Based on what I have heard so far, I seriously doubt that I could reliably tell one path from the other in a blind test, so it would seem that you really canât go far wrong either wayâŠ
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Hi Bob
Im going to buy Airlens. Just want to know if i can use Audirvana studio instead of Roon?
Thanks
I am using Audirvana with it. The only issue I have found really is that Audirvana doesnât seem to correctly auto-detect the Airlens as MQA compatible - but it is very easy to set that option manually. Other than that it is working very nicely with Studio in my system.
Just occurred to me.
PSA have prob never built a USB host device, only ever âclientâ devices (the correct term escapes me).
They are two different beasts, and usb hosts usually have screens.
The converse card prob doesnât have a usb host device built in.
Add to that how long it took schitt to perfect a firmware based usb host device without a screen in their new CD player and it starts to make rather more sense why the AL does not have usb out.
Most streamers ( and obvs severs) that have usb out are based on either intel or arm small-board-computers, so come with the usb out âfor freeâ with a GUI or web interface of some sort or another for management.
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Thank you
Innuos ZENith Mk3 to DS Mk2 via WyWires platinum USB. With the latest upgrades to the DS Mk2, it is the best sound Iâve heard⊠EVER!
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