Thanks and, perhaps over time as we near launch, we’ll get more into the details and particulars.
The main benefits of the AirLens are two fold: its complete galvanic isolation as well as Digital Lens outputting jitter free data.
Think of it in the same way we first demonstrated with the PWT how perfecting the CD transport’s clock changed forever the way we think about what’s possible.
For those that do not remember, let me give a brief recap. Whenever a DAC decodes the incoming digital data into analog, the clock it uses as a reference comes from the source. In the case of a CD transport, it is the transport that supplies the master clock. Which is why up until the introduction of the PWT’s Digital Lens, all transports sounded so remarkably different. Their data was identical in all cases. What differed was the jitter and noise levels of their master clocks driving the DAC.
The PWT partially solved this problem by building in a large FIFO (First in first out) buffer using a precision low jitter fixed clock. Thus, whether the incoming data from the spinning CD came in fast or slow didn’t matter. It collected up in the FIFO and then output perfectly to control the DAC. The sonic impact was huge.
When we stream digital audio data the same is true with clocks, only, unlike a transport, there is no clock information contained in the streaming digital data. That clock is later supplied by the streamer. So, step one is to have a Digital Lens buffer built in to the streamer.
Check.
Next, noise and unwanted artifacts found on the incoming data connection (whether Ethernet, USB, or WiFi conversion) are the second biggest culprits to bad sound next to the master clock problem. Fiber optic cables solve this problem but, unfortunately, since consumer audio got the short shaft with TOSLINK’s inability to pass high sample rate data (and ATT optical connectors are no longer supplied on gear), we’re stuck with physical connections for incoming data.
Which means we’re injecting all that wonderful noise and crap from the outside world. What’s needed is what we refer to as galvanic isolation. No physical or electrical connection between the outside world and the incoming DAC. Galvanic isolation. Not even the grounds are connected and power supplies are separate. Galvanic isolation solves the second biggest problem in data delivery. That’s in the core of the AirLens.
Check.
So, now add them up. Incoming data is fully buffered and output separately via our own low jitter fixed clock Digital Lens. That data is sent over “the air” (hence the name Air Lens) to the DAC.
AirLens = perfect, jitter free data without any electrical connection to the outside world.
Which is why you’re in for a treat when you hear how many problems you have now will vanish with the Lens.
) just winds up taking precious minutes off your life. I went from a Classic III to an Avenger Plus, then replaced the belt drive with a BLDC rim drive (whereupon the boxes needed multiplied by two), then came to see - it’s taking up just too much of my audio life! In comes the AD and “boom!”, all that time wasted on adjusting, tweaking, experimenting with various bits and bobs, goo-gawing the motors and displays, all gone. Now I just drop the needle and listen, and guess what it sounds great!