I finally got around to setting all my DS Mk2 input power settings to “auto” and now I think I’d definitely have to get the edge to the AirLens over the Auralic Aries G1. (Testing compared Aries with its LDS software and attached USB drive to AirLens with JRMC on a remote Mac mini and also using both as Roon endpoints.) Or maybe it’s just my mood has shifted over the last couple hours. Ask me again in a few days and I may have changed my mind again.
4 Likes
Not sure why comparing streamers has to be done with WAV files from a local streamer. The AirLens is just as likely to be used with Qobuz, Tidal, Roon and uPnP that are onboard the CDM4140 processor in the AirLens. Lumin, for example has the same functionality and could’ve be compared.
You then run in to problems because the AirLens has limited outputs, hardly any streamers use I2S, and it doesn’t have usb because, according to Paul, usb was too noisy. To the contrary, the Lumin U2 is optimised for usb, so is Innuos Zen, Zenith, Auralic, even SGM Extreme. Using different outputs may invalidate comparison.
So you can’t do very accurate comparisons, hardly anyone will bother, apparently many of the beta testers haven’t used dedicated streamers before, so people will buy this product based on brand loyalty or some other reason.
Functionality is probably more important than sound quality, because of the lack of usb.
International pricing makes a massive difference. The Innuos Pulse has a lot more going for it, but in the USA costs $3,250, so 60% more expensive than AirLens. However, in the UK (and probably the EU as Innuos is from Portugal) the Pulse is 10% cheaper than the AirLens.
I’m beta testing some audio software at the moment and the main thing it to identify bugs.
Lots of companies make complimentary products. This is obviously an external I2S Bridge III complimentary to the Mk2 DAC. Given the Bridge II was about $800 in 2015, $2,000 for this in 2023 seems perfectly reasonable, plus of course $10 for an HDMI cable.
4 Likes
seems AL is meant mostly for PSA systems
2 Likes
Hang on, hang on. My AirLens now has enough hours on it that I’m confident about doing careful testing. I do have a PST and another brand of streamer, and I will compare everything. But I am in the middle of another major project right now.
2 Likes
AirLens > Red > Matrix X SPDIF2
1 Like
Tony22 I have in the house Bluesound Nodes, an ifi Zen Stream, and in the past have used the bridge 1 and 2 plus the Matrix although I no longer have those.
I do not have anything like 300 hrs on the AL yet. But I sat with the spousal unit for a bit and compared it to the Node and Zen Stream, both via a Cardas USB cable. We both felt that the AL was getting… I dunno… maybe 20% more info out of the file…maybe a little more. it wasn’t like OMG these other things sound like crap, but there was a clear advantage that did not take much listening to detect. Still adding those hours. I have not used the holo or other competing products than can output to I2S so can’t really help with that comparison. But I am very happy so far, both sonically and operationally.
6 Likes
This ensures equal preconditions as the format on the discs also is (the better) wav and local streaming avoids the SQ disadvantages that often comes from online services (for whatever reason). Comparisons ignoring or not clarifying preconditions make little sense.
This is pure speculation on your part. The Beta group has many flavors of users.
Whether they want to discuss their impressions is up to them. Relatively few have done so for their own reasons.
1 Like
The issue with streamers is not what source gets the best sound, but how to get the best sound from online streaming sources. This is obviously because the vast majority of streamer use is for online streaming.
I was repeating an observation made above.
That’s true, but still for a pure SQ comparison of the HW, both under most equal preconditions makes sense.
I think this is fair point; $800 8 years ago when the bridge was a board that could be slid into the DAC and now the bridge, in the form of the AirLens has had power upgrades, dual outputs, separate casing etc, is $1999. Will be keen to hear how it goes.
A bit like @frankvisser, the AirLens will be competing against the Lindemann Limetree Bridge II for me, where both have galvanically isolated outputs. Looking forward to it!
Me too…(to your listening impressions, that is)…
2 Likes
Thanks, the firmware update fixed the problem. I have a further question. My wifi router is connected to a mesh network through the house. The mesh network has a different network name but provides better bandwidth on the floor where the Air Lens is located. Is it possible to connect another network that does not use WPS protocol ?
And it remains speculation.
Repeating a speculative comment does not make it true. 
2 Likes
It does for far too many people. Sadly.
12 Likes
After 3 years and tons of posts trying to explain to our community what the AirLens is (and what it is not) I was hoping PS Audio would give Al a present!
At least one mention, as an act of gratitude, on the official user manual included in the box…
2 Likes
I wanted to be a beta tester of AirLens for the longest time, but then I got on a different streaming train. The waiting was too long.
But Airlens will be a winner if it provides SQ advantage over other similar priced (or higher) streamers out there. For people who use PSA DAC with the I2S input, it makes great sense to use AirLens. So far I do not see any negative post yet. 
2 Likes
Me too! I think that also the surprisingly superior quality of the USB connection of the MK II played a role… encouraging many of us going for other routes.
2 Likes
an auto on (or switchable, dip switch) usb would have solved both “problems.” I assume that is relatively easy to do. Don’t know for sure…not my world of-course.
1 Like