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A long time favorite of my kids, my wife and me.
Brutally mockable…
Catchy tune though.
Here’s a catchy one. Once you’re listening to music, who cares how it’s connected, usb, wifi, I2S, whatever …
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Random thoughts.
A “streamer” or “digital transport” can supports a dozen+ different streaming protocols. If you already have a “server” or “digital source” (JRiver, Audirvania, AirPlay, Roon, Tidal, Spotify are all examples of sources) then you just match the protocol you want to use to the streamer. If you don’t have a source then you match the source to your chosen digital transport. AirLens isn’t released so there is no “official” list of supported protocols. Will it work with my system? Wait for it to release. Should I buy this server? Wait for it to release. There is no guarantee until its released.
Ethernet is defined by the 802.1 IEEE working group. It focusing, primarily, on 2 aspects: The Physical specification for ethernet and the layer 2, or link level, layer of ethernet. There is one link level standard for audio and it’s only used in Pro Audio. No “Hifi” or residential manufacturer / vendor has adopted it and probably won’t.
Here’s why I write the above:
To say AirLens supports “ethernet in” is wrong. Ethernet on its own will not give anything useful. You need to match the protocol your source is using. That protocol uses UDP/TCP, IP, and Ethernet to move packets towards the AirLens. Without the higher level layers you have nothing useful. This is true of Innuos as well. “LAN input and a data output” is really meaningless. That statement is ignoring the higher level application layer that must be the same on both sides for glorious music to come out of your system.
tl/dr: Match the streaming protocol of the AirLens to your server. The AirLens isn’t released yet so we’re still just “guessing”, sometimes very educated guesses but guesses for sure, on what the AirLens will support.
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Can the Summus feed the DAC directly via I2S over HDMI? Taking the Bridge out of the equation?
It can. I communicated with Robert at Euphony audio regard to this and he ensured that the I2S output of the Summus 2 is compatible with DSD. I didn’t jump on it because I have invested in the Roon ecosystem and didn’t want to pay annual subscription to Euphony.
In my understanding the more exact facts would be:
the server went, the streamer not…the Airlens is the streamer. The Mk II is not “as good” as I2S with USB, but differences are brought to a minimum by galvanic isolation. Would one have neither the Airlens nor the Mk II, then the disadvantage of USB vs. I2S would be as big as ever, especially if not even an isolating device as the Matrix is used.
That is how I stream now. I took Bridge 2 out of DS and uses Euphony Summus2 as streamer with a AQ Firebird48 HDMI to DS. I like it better than using Bridge2.
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I will need a chart of what I need to get Quboz, Tidal, Amazon HD, etc (my ripped music) into an input on my preamp. I get more confused as I read further
Paul McGowan
October 9, 2022 at 7:16 am
(https://www.psaudio.com/askpaulvideo/unveiling-the-ps-audio-airlens/#comment-314472)
It does not have USB output. We didn’t think that made any sense since if you’re DAC wants USB why not simply connect it to the computer? If you’re stuck on USB you are probably better off with a Matrix or getting the new DirectStream MKII which has complete galvanic isolation for USB built in.
Paul’s reply above (and Ted’s discussion of how USB is handled by the FGPA, the power supplies and board layout in Mk11) it sounds as though USB in DAC Mk11 is going to be very good.
Will be interesting to see how the final specs of the Airlens will compare to this.
Looks like a blue sound Node streamer.
It’s probably still essentially a Raspberry Pi based device. Still limited to 192KHz. With the wealth of higher res music becoming available, IMO this is too little too late.
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And also how it compares with this one, which is also a Roon server, which IMOH is a big step up over pc-based servers… different price league though…
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This one has higher resolution digital (PCM 768kHz, DSD512).
I have been using the Nuprime Stream 9. Up samples all in coming signals to DSD256 and out via I2S to DS and sounds great! Can’t wait to plug this into DS MKII.
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I recently purchase the Mkiii/Farad. It ticked all the boxes for me, personally (including the strong USD against the Euro). Havent had the chance to listen as of yet, though. Will use it as a source (via I2s) to my DS in my headphone rig.
My initial choice was (and preference would have been) the Air Lens, but I needed AirPlay for this particular rig.
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Yeah, I’ve been curious about this one. The Rockna also has good buzz.
I have a Raspberry PI based streamer - Project Stream Box S2 Ultra - that is not limited to 192Khz
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Really! Now that’s interesting! I wonder if it’s based on a newer Pi board? Does it do I2S?
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