Paul, is it correct, that the noise of a cheaper switch PSU can be isolated e.g. from the Airlens cirquits and the DAC connection, but it still echoes back into the whole system’s power cirquit more than if a linear PSU would be used? All that given one doesn’t use power cabling/distribution that blocks such influences generally.
Plex was the same - excellent platform for streaming your collection of local files (and optional online stuff if you wanted it).
Now it won’t even work without internet access and constantly pushes online streaming sources in your face.
Hi @Paul, will the Airlens support NAA for those who may want to connect it to a NOS DAC?
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Why use RCA for SPDIF out when BNC is superior?
It also has to be passed through the endpoint tho
Well, not exactly. You just can’t touch it. No up / down sampling. No volume adjustment etc.
MQA is “encoded” into PCM. For anything that doesn’t understand MQA its just PCM. This is why you can play MQA encoded (which is most of Tidal at this point) streams through a playback system that doesn’t do anything with MQA.
And, something would be very wrong with the Airlens if it wasn’t bit-perfect from input to output.
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Leaving aside whether BNC is indeed superior in an enthusiast system, likely because relatively few systems contain a true BNC input.
Aurender provides the best results with coax/AES…or so they say. So, nothing is written in stone.
PS Audio favoring i2s is written in stone.
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Just a comment, yes MQA is encoded in PCM, but to decode MQA there three layers, the final one to be done by the herdware of ende point. So for example ROON only decode twio layers of MQA if you do not have end poitn equipment able to decode the final layer you do not get original master that MQA can deliver
The first unfold can be done in software but can also be done at the DAC.
Roon will complete the first unfold if you have this option turned on.
note I’m not a “fan” of MQA so I link to this only to help others understand the origami and unfold steps. The do know the “lossless” statements in this article are not accurate. Since this article was written MQA admitted that their definition of “lossless” is audibly lossless or “as good as lossless” and not true bit lossless.
But let’s not debate MQA here. The truth is:
Software can do the first unfold.
You need a supported DAC to unfold the rest.
At no point in the digital transport layer does anything see the bitstream as anything except PCM. The bit-depth / resolution across the transport (network) of that PCM is dependent upon if you’ve done the first unfold in software or left it alone.
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I’m using the Matrix to connect the USB from my Mac Studio to the PS Audio Dac with i2s. I can play DSD 256. Would the AirLens be any better?
That is the (current estimate 
) $2,000 question!
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Yes. The Matrix is a fine device. I have and use one myself. It is not isolated at its output nor does it properly reclock the data. The AirLens is a definite step up.
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Thanks.
In my opinion, the AL aspires to be best in class at a price point (let’s say for less than $5,000).
Will it be better than your current set up? Time and ears will tell. PSA usually offers a fair trial period so you will be able to hear for yourself, if you so choose.
Cheers.
For those interested.
Crude measurements:
10.25″ wide
8″ deep
2.25″ tall
Standard AC
Also you might enjoy these shots.
Still have fingers crossed for late November production if the parts pandemic doesn’t bite us in the butts again.
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Very nice. Stylish. Very nice. But–where’s the fuse?
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Very nice looking unit.
hahaha good one!