PS Audio AirLens

Just an update I forgot to mention. My wifi in the basement and most the house is EERO devices fed from fiber. They do not support WPS like the Airlens needs. So no way to set up in my house. The only other device is 2 floors up and may work but would be weak signal. not worth the squeeze.

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Doh! Of course the AirLens needs WPS for WiFi because it has no way to learn the WiFi password! Maybe if it had USB out to the DS MK2, it could learn the password from the DS MK2!!!

I wish both had a web interface.

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The airlens does not have a user serviceable fuse.

Thanks

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Does that mean if the fuse blows one has to send the unit for repair?
Is there soldering work to do then?

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Really good question, Let´s see what´s the answer to it, The Airlens seems to be somehow “basic” in some areas

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Yeah it takes a while to get these answers. I googled a bit and it seems fuses in SMPS are partly done by SMD or other types of resistors or soldered small fuses in other structural form than the normal ones.

So it seems they really have to be changed by soldering work if blown. And they can’t be upgraded.
To care for a separate fuse might have been a good service for the audiophile world (maybe it would have been if Paul wasn’t a fuse sceptic :wink:), but I guess one possibly can’t buy an SMPS without the built in one?

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Thanks for looking into this. I really love the sound of my AirLens, but the idea of having to send it to Colorado just to replace a blown fuse is Not Good.

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Internal fuses aren’t that uncommon. My Luxman amplifier has a couple of internal fuses between the AC and transformers.

I have not blown a fuse in my hifi equipment, ever! Never.

Nor have I changed them, ever. Never :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :innocent:

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Come to think of it, I haven’t either. :laughing:

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You’re a lucky guy! I did blow fuses and also certainly enjoy replacing them to get another “sound flavour” as well

I’m also one without a blown fuse yet, my focus has been rather a potential replacement for SQ benefit, as a standard fuse is always a limitation as we learned.

I used to blow fuses in my ADS L710 speakers quite often. Better amps solved that. But they had a strange value so I bought five boxes of six. I think I still have 3 boxes of them.

AirLens!!!

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Vee wrote: “I’m still hoping to see to a database that shows which physical version of an album has the least adulterated recording available.”

This rather large database (https://dr.loudness-war.info/) is mentioned in Darko’s video referred to below.

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You are very lucky. I blew all kinds of fuses on my REL G1 subwoofer. In spite of the fuses the amp board was cooked. :unamused: Had to remove the board and send it to REL USA ( in California and I am in NY :roll_eyes: ) for a complete rebuild.

However, in the end, REL USA did an outstanding job and it cost me $500 to save a $4500 subwoofer! :+1:

Thanks @Standahm1, I am aware of this DB, but it misled me. I made the assumption, incorrectly, that higher DR figures meant higher quality and made my purchases accordingly. But if you compare the DSD to Vinyl version on the list, you’ll see DSD scores higher — and yet my experience is the DSD sounded the worst.

The DB I’d like to see is one where people have actually listened to and rate the comparable sound quality of the various formats and masterings.

For example, I can say the Classic Records vinyl of Stardust has less processing to filter out recording noise / air which allows Willie’s voice to carry further in the room and instruments to sound less muffled and more lively as compared to all other formats I compared it to.

In terms of qualitative ranking, I’d say it’s: Classic Record 45 > Analogue Productions 45 > CD > Qobuz > DSD

The DR database doesn’t express that qualitative difference. Unfortunately, the digital mastering done to reduce track noise on the digital formats ended up erasing important details.

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One of my two disappointments with the DSJ is that it is noisy. That’s a known byproduct of using only two FPGAs as opposed to six (?) in the DS1. (Beside that noise, though, it’s the best DAC I’ve ever owned–I can still listen to it for hours without digital fatigue.)

But now that the Bridge inside it died two years ago, the Junior is worth a lot less on the resale market. Second time it happened, and there were no more parts to fix it while it was still in warranty. First time, it arrived DOA. I think there is a greater fault inside that is causing the Bridge module to fail.

Anyhow, I’m probably going to get a used DS1 since I see quite a few come up for about $2K, and I could maybe get half that for the Junior in its crippled state, so it’s not a complete loss. Or if the DS1 comes with a Bridge, maybe I could harvest the module from the Bridge card and use it in the Jr.

A modded MK1 with all the goodies is a great bargain. Can get one done for less than 3k. Add in Airlens to that and you got a great DAC streamer combo for less than 5. MKII is 8k alone. Nothing wrong with that plan.

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The DR Database has been my go to resource since it was launched.

So valuable when I’m frustrated with a brick-walled streaming version and need to find a rationally mastered CD.

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