Welcome Bas!
That coax may just be fine, depending on what maximum resolution you want to stream. If you’re only using streaming services, you won’t need anything else.
I owned one of the hegels but don’t anymore. I think the DAC they include is excellent and should sound more than good over coax.
PS I leave my Airlens and DAC powered on (by my P10) unless an electrical storm is expected, then I usually shut stuff down to be safe.
Maybe silly question, but other then streaming (currently I have Spotify), do you mean high quality music files from a server ? And what’s the limit for coax then ?
I still hope that Spotify will come this year with their hifi upgrade … and I’m curious if I will hear the difference …
High-resolution streaming services like Qobuz top out at PCM 24-192. Normal CDs are PCM 16-44. I have heard of coax digital making it much further to DSD128 in DoP format (DSD packaged as PCM, but still really DSD, which a DAC like you have in your Hegel can reconstruct as DSD). Though I have more often seen coax topping out at DSD64, which is what SACD discs have in their high-resolution layer, which is still beyond PCM 24-192.
So, as long as you are streaming, coax digital has you covered.
Thanks Carrousel!
Bas, I believe you will hear the difference between current Spotify and any PCM 16-44 or higher res streaming service, or local files on your own server for that matter.
Personally, I start feeling a bit itchy after listening to Spotify more than say 15 minutes. Their stream is not bad, but, depending on your rig, is not good either.
Their service provides for a wide audience and their presentation and lyrics are cool features.
Let’s say, it depends on what you’re after…
Best wishes!
Spotify audio quality is quite poor
True, I agree … but spotify is with me for over 10 years. I got this family contract, parents, kids and me all use it. So when the Airlens is in, it might be time to start streaming with Qobuz or Tidal.
But first get the Airlens connected and hear how it sounds … I read it needs some time to break in too.
Folks here are mainly Qobuz fans. But Qobuz still has not delivered the app connectivity that Spotify and Tidal have. Every year it is promised. AirLens has Tidal Connect for example. I moved my family to a Tidal family plan and they love it. The kids are old enough to appreciate the quality difference as well. You can trial it and compare.
Hi, congrats on getting an AirLens! I’ve found the digital coax to be excellent between the AirLens and DS2. It sounds like the Hegel does a great job over coax too, so fingers crossed, you’re in for a treat as AirLens opens up for you.
Digital coax does have some limitations, maxing out at DSD64 at least between the AirLens and DS2. I’ve found my system sounds best with a SoTM digital coaxial and removed a RAL HDMI I had in there just in case I might switch back - very happy with coax.
Spotify can be fun…not sure though, how well you can evaluate the AirLens with Spotify…get a free Tidal or Qobuz trial and see what you think…I find Tidal connect the easiest to use…
Airlens is a device on the Spotify app so it’s easy, you will know immediately it’s not close to Qobuz, Tidal or Roon
So would I need Tidal Hifi or Tidal Hifi plus to benefit the most out of the Airlens … with a coax that is. I believe the MQA format from Tidal won’t work then with my coax, right ?
Hi, the AirLens will decode MQA to 96k and coax won’t be any limit on that…
It’s just that MQA can unfold further but that job would be undertaken by your DAC.
5185 comments about a streamer. Are we done now? 
Including the ones we all knew were coming involving software problems.
Tidal Connect is the primary but, in my eyes, excellent reason I’ve remained a Tidal subscriber. Once Qobuz launches a quality native Connect product, I’ll likely switch back to Qobuz.
In terms of sound quality, how are the apps from Tidal and Spotify different from what I currently get with Qobuz? I use mConnect on my iPad and access Qobuz, locate the music I want, and it gets shipped off to the DS DAC. I do notice considerable variation in sound quality, which I attribute to the source material rather than anything about the playback process. Or am I missing something?
The difference is in the user interface not the sound quality as the sound quality from Tidal Connect is not different than using mConnect or any other third party app. Some people prefer to use Tidal Connect because it resembles the interface from the desk top app. I’ve tried it both ways and for me if I’m already inside of an app like mConnect, JPlay for IOS or Lightning DS where I have access to all of them at once it’s too much trouble to me to exit out to get to Tidal Connect. With Spotify the Connect method is the only was to use it as they won’t release their API to anyone.
Thank you – that’s what I hoped and expected, but it’s nice to know for sure. I’ve never had the opportunity to use the standalone apps, only through mConnect.