The AL is a Roon end point not a core. If your Mac Mini is running the Roon Core software, that will continue. However, you can now use the AL as your end point rather than running the Roon app or daemon on your Mac Mini (which it appears from your post is what you are doing now). Use of the AL should provide improved sonics.
I think the fuse is internal to the SMPS and is not replaceable.
Oh, thanks, that’s a slight disadvantage not to have that option of a better fuse, could you please check it for me if you’re not sure? I wouldn’t have to order a fuse then and would have to do next week.
I thought this might be a fuse holder…
Was it furthermore correct, that the SMPS is not substitutable by an external one by modding?
Wrong use case in your circumstance.
The AL is a network bridge/streamer. That’s it.
Its one and only purpose is to provide an excellent conversion of an Ethernet digital signal into a coaxial and I2S data output stream for compatible DACs to convert to analogue for output to pre-amplifier or amplifier.
2 Likes
Upon first read, my reaction is there is some serious ignorance (in the true non-ad hominem sense of the word) or “incite fulness” in this assertion.
Care to elaborate or clarify…?
I think he took offense to the thought that in seconds he would think a oboe sounds the same as a hammer drill. He went a little over the top but there are far too many people shouting “You hear what you want to hear” these days.
The funny thing is, at my house it is true. I do hear what I want to hear.
3 Likes
Thanks for your thoughts. I am in no way offended by your belief on this. It’s a common misconception, and whatever works for you is fine by me. I won’t try to dissuade you from your likely deeply held (but in my opinion erroneous) belief that it is most likely wishful thinking to hear a difference because “the ear can only remember how something sounds for a few milliseconds.”
For anyone else who is curious about this topic, think for a moment about whether we can compare the sounds that we hear. If that theory were correct, and you had no memory of what you heard a few milliseconds ago, then why are we not all listening to the cheapest gear possible? We would have forgotten what all other music sounds like, and couldn’t possibly compare between a reference system and a kazoo. It’s ridiculous.
To be fair, I don’t think we can remember exactly how music sounds forever. I can’t really tell you how good or bad my teenage mid-fi system was, but I can tell you how it made me feel.
Now, in this case, I’ve been running my DS1/Bridge II combo for about 5 years and the latest update since it came out. I’ve been running my DS2/AL combo for about 10 days, covering dozens of albums and about 80 hours of music since I work from home and play background music during the day, and then enjoy music in the evenings. Across albums I’ve played countless times, the DS2/AL definitely sounds better to me by every measure. While the prior combo was so good that I think people could remain happy with that forever, the “small” improvements in sound quality have added up to a larger emotional impact than I would have originally given it credit for, and I find myself appreciating old favorites with new depth. So for me, in my system, with the music I listen to, and based on my budget, the DS2/AL combo is a win.
For reference, the rest of the system is PS Audio BHK pre, BHK 300 Monos feeding Vandersteen Quatro Woods via Kubala-Sosna Emotion cabling. Sources are Qobuz via Roon, the PerfectWave SACD transport, and I also have the DS2 connected to Apple TV for movies and shows.
Maybe your experience will be similar, maybe not. But there is one thing I can say for sure - I am satisfied that the two combinations sound different, and I enjoy the DS2/AL more.
7 Likes
Yes you can hear the difference between a obo and drill or two different speakers. There have been studies when people for example think for exampl one cable with a different geometry, same material and the same gauge wire and wire length sound so much different are not easily repeatable due to the short memory the brain has in remembering how things sounds in A/B tests. I was skeptical myself because I would change out my dacs and cables hopeing for dramatic improvements but many times the differences were either not really noticeable or so minute I could not tell when someone else controlled the A/B . I have a highly resolving system also ie Sonos Faber Stradivari speakers with Mcintosh mono amps/ Pre amp . I am just saying as audiophiles we like to tinker (nothing wrong with this if you enjoy it ) and experiment which is fun (I am guilty) but objectively it is very very hard to remember what we have heard.
1 Like
One more thing, I have found the room we listen in, room treatments, rugs , window treatments , the position of the speakers and listening position are far more critical than what dac we use.
“There have been studies . . .” re cables.
Cite?
1 Like
Finally someone mentioned power cables… All the talk has been about I2s HDMI cables… So, what is evryone using from a power cable perspective and are you hearing a difference? Some components such as sub woofers power cables don’t seem to make a difference.
1 Like
I2S cables. Power cables. Pretty soon someone will mention fuses. All well and good after the fact, but IMO if the AL (or any piece of equipment, frankly) can’t be evaluated as “good”, “great”, or even “pretty good” without immediately leaping to an “upgraded (fill in the blank)” to suddenly claim something transformative, then something ain’t right.
13 Likes
Exactly… Do you really need $5K in cables to make a $2k streamer sound good???
3 Likes
LOL… There you have it… Purple fuses… 
2 Likes
Can the voume of the Airlens playback be controlled using Jriver Mediacenter? I am using veriosn 31. Thanks in advance…
That’s a first here that I have seen. I am sure its going to get some replies. lol
I do not own a good disc transport so I have never compared.
1 Like
I am using WW Electra 7 Power Conditioning Cords. I got three of these for my AL, U2 mini and fidata NAS. The were on sale and 1 meter lengths cost $260 each. All three of these units are very light compare to a DS DAC Mk2, PST, Preamp, Phono Pream, etc. When I use my older PS Audio power cables they are too heavy and too stiff for these light weight boxes.
The WW cables are light and flexible. The are a flat design like the WW HDMI cables. The are shielded, which you want for power cables used on digital gear. They work great and do not seem to have any negative effects on the SQ. 
2 Likes
@Paul, for the Bridge this is possible. JRiver‘s or JRemote‘s volume controls the DS‘ volume.
I think then it’s the same for the Airlens.
Yes. It won’t hurt it that’s for sure! Maybe a 1k power cable and a Dragon 48. 
1 Like
Maniac: “just of of the curiosity what USB tweak you have on mk2?”
My USB chain is: Nucleus+ > Synergistic Reference Ethernet cable > Uptone Audio EtherREGEN (w/ Sbooster power supply) > 6" Curious Evolved USB Link > Mk2
1 Like