# PS Audio AirLens Audiophile Music Streamer Reviewed **URL:** \ **Category:** Network Audio\ **Created:** [July 23, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220 "2024-07-23T20:42:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtsnead](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jtsnead/32/294909_2.png) [@jtsnead](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jtsnead)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/1 "2024-07-23T20:42:47Z")
> **[PS Audio AirLens Audiophile Music Streamer Reviewed](https://futureaudiophile.com/ps-audio-airlens-streamer-reviewed/)** > > The PS Audio AirLens is an audiophile grade music streamer and server that deliverers world-class sonics at an affordable price ---
**Author:** ![Interested](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Interested](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Interested)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/2 "2024-07-23T22:18:13Z")
Thanks for sharing. Great to see the AirLens reviewed and compared to a range of other streamers šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/3 "2024-07-23T22:51:00Z")
What a succinct, no-nonsense and straight-forward review. Subjective opinion and conclusions aside, I found the prose refreshing enough that I will be looking for more reviews by this author. For example: Who is the AirLens for? \*_The AirLens is for the audio enthusiasts who appreciate the magic of high-performance music streaming and are willing to follow a stricter path to achieve it._ FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![jtsnead](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jtsnead/32/294909_2.png) [@jtsnead](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jtsnead)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/4 "2024-07-24T12:13:17Z")
Agreed, i always feel simple dedigns better serve the end resultā€™s ---
**Author:** ![joma0711](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/joma0711/32/277666_2.png) [@joma0711](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/joma0711)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/5 "2024-07-24T13:23:20Z")
Only one error I saw - ā€œ **DSD converted to PCM (DOP)**ā€ Which of course is not what DOP is. ---
**Author:** ![allan.thunes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@allan.thunes](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/allan.thunes)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 10:42am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/6 "2024-07-25T10:42:41Z")
Iā€™m a bit confused about Qobuz. The reviewer states: ā€œMusic Streaming service compatibility includes Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon Ready certification, whereas Qobuz and Tidal are embedded.ā€ But Airlens specs state that Roon is required. [Airlens Specs](https://www.psaudio.com/products/airlens#shopify-section-template--23019688362274__0e8d8927-480a-4c8d-8a92-e46aa185d647) The Roon requirement is a hang up for me. How do you understand ā€œQobuz and Tidal are embedded.ā€? ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/7 "2024-07-25T11:14:50Z")
I think that was a poor choice of words. I think the author meant he listened to Qobuz and Tidal via Roon. You can set up Roon to source music through subscription services like Qobuz and Tidal and use the Roon interface for searching for and cueing up music. ![Screen Shot 2024-07-25 at 7.13.05 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/a/d/ad5537f0bad1196187ee982ae26c6f02cc638428.png) I used to do the same thing but dropped my Tidal subscription. Now I only have Qobuz ā€œembeddedā€ into Roon. FYI. ---
**Author:** ![terzinator](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/terzinator/32/45292_2.png) [@terzinator](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/terzinator)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/8 "2024-07-25T13:09:05Z")
> [@allan.thunes](#): > > whereas yeah, prolly could have used ā€œwhereinā€? ---
**Author:** ![jtsnead](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jtsnead/32/294909_2.png) [@jtsnead](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jtsnead)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/9 "2024-07-25T17:25:11Z")
I use Qobuz directly with my AL, just download the Mconnect app and sign up for Qobuz, sounds really good with the SGD ---
**Author:** ![magister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@magister](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/magister)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/10 "2024-07-25T20:05:29Z")
I do the same thing as @jtsnead with mConnect ā€” no need for Roon, which I have no desire whatsoever to use. ---
**Author:** ![allan.thunes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@allan.thunes](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/allan.thunes)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/11 "2024-07-26T01:31:24Z")
Many thanks guys. I appreciate you sorting it out. Nothing against Roon. Itā€™s interesting but only as a nice to have and certainly an Airlens deal breaker for me if required. Knowing M Connect is an option is definitely encouraging. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![djstix1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@djstix1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/djstix1)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/12 "2024-07-26T11:01:16Z")
I really want to like the Airlens. Iā€™m a Roon user so that part works for me. But I cant get past the lack of any webpage control over the device. My current streamer has no screen but is accessible via a browser and it works well. Airlens would be a natural upgrade to me but I refuse to fiddle with DIP switches and count blinking lights. There is also the fact that when it goes wrong itā€™s hard to see what is going on. Alll the rest of my gear is PS audio btw. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan2000](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/dignan2000/32/220737_2.png) [@Dignan2000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Dignan2000)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/13 "2024-07-30T17:56:00Z")
For what itā€™s worth Iā€™ve had my AirLens for about 5 months and I havenā€™t touched a dip switch in about the last 4 1/2 months. Iā€™d adjust them if I changed DACs I suppose. The lights in the back came in handy with an early, wonky OS. It tends to be more about the color and pace of the light if you have to deal with customer service on an issue. No real counting involved if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![djstix1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@djstix1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/djstix1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/14 "2024-07-30T18:46:02Z")
Thanks - I realize that for most people itā€™s a set and forget experience. But the lack of control is a rare mistake - so is using WPS for WiFi set up. I expect a bit more - maybe a Mk2 will be forthcoming. In the meantime I am staying put while keeping an eye on alternatives as upgrades. Also my rack is hard to access so not easy to lift the unit or see back panel ---
**Author:** ![gmunn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@gmunn](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gmunn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/15 "2024-11-14T01:50:48Z")
I have had my airlens for about 6 months connected to a DS MK1 via i2s. Set up took a few minutes no dip switches required moving and I havenā€™t touched it since installing except to dust. Sometimes I operate it from Tidal connect directly from my phone sometimes I use my IPad and Mconnect. Iā€™m not sure what an imbedded app or a screen could add to my experience or sound quality. PS my completely non tech wife can operate it from the kitchen just to annoy me from time to time, from her phone ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 4:14am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/16 "2024-11-14T04:14:06Z")
Welcome! ---
**Author:** ![allan.thunes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@allan.thunes](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/allan.thunes)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/17 "2024-11-29T19:20:23Z")
The sum of my digital experience is limited to BlueSound (Vault on the main rig and module on the NAD HT receiver) and some some stuff (including DSD) on a desktop plugged into the main rig. Maybe because itā€™s all I know, I like the BS ecosystem but Iā€™d like to see how my system will respond to a streamer upgrade, which is my interest in the AL. But Iā€™d also like to understand what to expect before a demo. So, given a couple of daze off Iā€™m finally taking some time to get a better understanding of this whole digital ecosystem. If Iā€™m understanding correctly, the AL is fundamentally different than BS or other network devices that that manage all your online (and stored) content. HIFI News describes the AirLens as ā€œa ā€˜network bridgeā€™ between your choice of Roon, Audirvana, JRiver, Tidal Direct, Spotify, your NAS or any DLNA-compatible server, and PS Audioā€™s top-end DACsā€ If Iā€™m understanding this correctly you either have separate apps for each of your streaming services/internet radio stations or you have a network device (Roon Nucleus) or software (Roon server) on a computer via USB to a DAC that manages content. Since Qobuz still doesnā€™t have a stand alone app you need a network device or software that includes Qobuz. Am I understanding this correctly? The AL may be fantastic sounding device, but the number of them showing up on TMR and the Strata MK2/AL package has me wondering what people arenā€™t liking about it. ---
**Author:** ![tomhail](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tomhail/32/40944_2.png) [@tomhail](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tomhail)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/18 "2024-11-30T02:31:34Z")
Iā€™ve been following the AL buzz since launch and have had similar interest and hesitations as you mention. My take is that the ALā€™s sound quality is top of the line - especially feeding a PS Audio DAC via i2S. However, the market has responded slowly due to the lack of features (like a web based configuration for WiFi and sound settings). The $2k price point combined with DIP switches on the bottom of the unit as the ā€œinterfaceā€ have caused reluctance in the otherwise enthusiastic PS Audio community. I would spend $1K for the AL as it stands, but I am not holding my breath for a price drop. ---
**Author:** ![allan.thunes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@allan.thunes](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/allan.thunes)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/20 "2024-12-27T14:42:39Z")
The Airlens, with mconnect in command, has been in the system for a week. With all yā€™allā€™s help and a pretty basic understanding of digital audio, getting it up and running was pretty painless and the FW updates went off without too many bad words. Mconnect works well enough but I did add Spotify Connect to my iPad to see what all the fuss about Qobuz Connect, or the lack thereof, is all about. For me, and maybe other less demanding users, Qobuz functionality through mconnect is fine. Though Iā€™m sure this is more a reflection of my limitations (hearing aids are likely in my not too distant future), nothing at this point has jumped out at me to differentiate AL SQ from my BlueSound Vault. Regardless, with the promise of cleaner bits Iā€™d be content to leave the AL in the system save for one glaring hole; the Radio Paradise player. The Radio Paradise player with all its functionality is native to BlueSound (and I believe Eversolo). In mconnect, Roon, jriver, and I assume every other similar interface, RP internet radio streams can be added but all the functionality is lost. Life would be good if the RP player would play to the AL in the same way that Spotify Connect does or these other interfaces included the Radio Paradise player in the same way that Qobuz is included. Assuming Iā€™m not missing anything, the AL is most likely going back, and my digital front end will forever be limited by my choice of sources rather than SQ. ---
**Author:** ![mp5310](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/mp5310/32/92067_2.png) [@mp5310](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mp5310)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220/21 "2024-12-27T15:10:47Z")
Frustrating at this point to still have to buy specific hardware to listen to specific sources. [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/ps-audio-airlens-audiophile-music-streamer-reviewed/38220.md?page=2)