I believe (someone correct me if I’m wrong) that the “streamer“ firmware is the same whether it is updated via the dip switches or via the mConnect app. So if you upgrade it via mConnect, then the the lights should show that the streamer firmware is up-to-date already; conversely, if you updated with the dip switches then it should show in mconnect as not needing an upgrade.
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My Spotify has AL active.
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The procedures in the owner’s manual are instructions that can be used to update the firmware for both components. If you follow those procedures, you do not also need to use the Mconnect app to do the update.
If you choose to use the Mconnect software to update the streamer firmware, you would not need to follow this part of the instructions in the owner’s manual, as the MConnect app does that for you. However, I strongly recommend that after updating the streamer from the Mconnect app, you power cycl\e the Airlens as the instructions say.
Furthermore, if you are keeping the streamer firmware updated using the Mconnect app, when PS Audio posts a new firmware for the airlens on their website, you would only need to follow the first set of steps to get your airlens updated.
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Power cycling is necessary
You probably have a premium subscription?
Yes
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Except for an SSD to Oppo, I’m relatively ignorant when it comes to streaming. I assume what the AirLens does is allow one to listen to music, say, through Qobuz using an iPad. The specs say “Through Roon.” Where does Roon come into this?
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Some companies, including Tidal and Spotify, work with hardware manufacturers so that users can stream directly. This is why Tidal and Spotify can be streamed natively through the AirLens. Qobuz has not yet done this, although it’s in the works. So at the present time you have to use software that provides additional support for Qobuz. Roon is one such piece of software, but there are other options. M connect (developed by ConversDigital, maker of the streaming card that PS audio licensed for the AirLens) is one. I use Linn Kazoo. You are right that a tablet or phone is used to control the AirLens.
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Thanks. Looking up the alternatives you mention, I came across an informative thread: mconnect HD vs Roon - A Brief Overview | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum. In the end, pg 4, the OP dropped Roon and mconnect and switched to Logitech’s Media Server, in part because he was having volume control problems with mconnect and Roon was no longer worth the cost (someone else wrote that they weren’t having mconnect problems).
I mentioned music files on an SSD, via USB to the Oppo. Those files are also stored along with others on my Win 10 desktop PC. It appears that short of getting a server with storage (or streamer/server), I wouldn’t be able to combine so that I could see those music files via the iPad, given that the AirLens doesn’t have a USB input. It would be nice, though, to not have to change the dac’s input every time I wanted to play music (I also use the Oppo for video files and TV, with audio run through the dac and preamp). If I understand that correctly, is there then a workable remote app that instead could connect the iPad to the PC upstairs? I’m currently using a two pack eero 6+ for router, which takes care of that end.
I expect the answer is yes, but since I don’t use a Windows PC as part of my audio setup I can’t say much more than that. One option to investigate would be VLC; install it as a media player on your Windows machine and then get the VLC remote on your iPad. I’m sure there are others here who have more experience with this. Good luck!
Thanks. foobar2000 might be better, as I have that set up on my desktop. From when I used a DS dac with my desktop, there were even better players, although a bit touchier. Not sure if they have apps. The main question would be getting remote access.
A while ago I used Foobar2000. I no longer do, but I remember that there is an iPad app. I’m not sure whether it’s just a remote control or an actual player on its own, but it would be worth checking out since you are already familiar with foobar2000.
MonkeyMote HD seems to be considered the best – Home | MonkeyMote Music Remote. This has been helpful. Focused my thinking.
Another product you may like to consider is MinimServer (for Windows). It’s DLNA (UPnP)-compliant and should work with any DLNA-compliant controller like mconnect. The AirLens is also DLNA-compliant so, provided your Windows PC and the AirLens are on the same LAN and your tablet has wireless access to the LAN, it should do what you need. I’m not sure about the VLC version for your tablet but the Windows version of VLC is a DLNA-compliant ‘player’ but I don’t think it can stream to a rendering device (like the AirLens). Perhaps surprisingly, the legacy Windows Media Player can stream to a DLNA-compliant rendering device (like the AirLens).
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Thanks. The PC is on cable and iPad uses the eero router, as would the streamer. I use Zoom Player on the PC and am not a fan of it or VLC for audio. I seem to recall using MinimServer on the PC, back when I had a DS with it. At the time, PS Audio’s implementation of DNLA was unstable.
You would think PS Audio would have a web page featuring "Using your PS Audio AirLens with xxxxx software. They could list what works and give advice as to why one would choose the software. They didn’t write any, and it’s up to you to figure out how to make it work? Hmmmm.
Perhaps they just assumed the bulk of the people would just use Roon which is very easy to setup and work with. But it costs money.
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@highstream So you have a number of recommendations above. Bear in mind that there are both recommendations for an app, for which you asked for the iPad. And there are separate recommendations for UPnP server software to run on the PC. If you pick something and try it and it works for you, I would recommend getting a NAS instead of using the PC. But I can understand testing the concept with the PC first.
I have used all the apps mentioned. The Linn Kazoo app is good and free so long as it is still in app stores. It is being replaced by a new Linn app that does not look as open to using with non-Linn equipment. But I may be wrong.
App-wise I also recommend BubbleUPnP with the $5 license.
For the server on the PC. If you have already been a happy Foobar user in the past, then you can install the UPnP plugin so that Foobar will broadcast the files from the PC into your home network. Note that web instructions and google links for Foobar are mostly about the 32-bit versions. There are not as many 64-bit plugins at present.
If you do not have a Foobar background, then the recommendations to go with a proper media server software like MinimServer or Twonky would be better. Plex would be even easier to use in my view. And I understand that the free version can be used in the home. Note though that features like streaming to your phone while outside of the house or using Tidal in Plex require a license.
Feel free to PM me with more questions.
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I think we always seem to get what we pay for somehow (or what a company focuses on)…and I’d say we know which 4 out of 6 usual criterias we get under average from PSA, which 1 on average and which 1 over average 
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BubbleUPnP does not have an app for the iPad.
Thanks. I would be dealing in-home only, not my iPhone. As tony22 notes, BubbleUPnP doesn’t have an iPad app. It also doesn’t index, which is something foobar does well and I have set up. That would be a requirement, whichever is used. Yes, my thought about AirLens was to dip my toes first, rather than go for a full server/streamer right off (LDMS would be the choice).