If a few folks could post the FIRST THREE PAIRS ONLY of hex digits from their airlens mac address, it may become apparent if the AL wifi board is using the same set on all.
If so this would ease the OP’s dilemma of spotting the AL mac address on their router.
Back in the day individual manufacturers all got their own unique first three pairs, it may still be the case for whomever makes the AL’s wifi cards.
Just a thought 
No WiFi MAC - I’m on ethernet via a bridge.
LAN MAC 98:5E:1B
The same front three pairs come up for me using an ethernet based connection to the AirLens…
@bitperfectrichard - I used MConnect / MControl to discover the AirLens on the network. Using the “PlayTo” function you should see the PS Audio blue and white swirl next to the word AirLens if it’s connected up, just like @rogerdn has shown.
I think the first time I connected the AirLens to the MControl I had to tap the refresh button on the top right of “PlayTo”, to force the app to actively search for the AirLens. Good luck!
Well, this morning I think all has become evident. It seems the location I where installed my AirLens is a tiny “black hole” in my WiFi coverage, and the signal strength just seems to vanish at times. This morning it connected immediately, just as on original power-up. I was able to get mConnect to immediately “see” the AirLens, and its Qobuz option immediately came to life and played music through it. But occasionally playback would stutter, exactly as it would if there was a poor WiFi connection. Using an App on my Laptop I was able to easily determine that the AirLens sits in a WiFi coverage black spot. I shall try moving it later today, but I think a WiFi range extender of some sort will be the long range solution.
Still early days, but it seems that the option for playing Qobuz to the AirLens via mConnect means that I have to use mConnect’s own Qobuz interface … which is about as useless as a chocolate fireguard. The Qobuz App itself seems unable to play directly to the AirLens.
My first three pairs are 90:DE:80 (per another post, I have now solved the original problem, but your suggestion is a good one).
I suppose I am looking for affirmation that I am thinking straight about adding in an upgraded streamer into my system. I have landed on the Airlens as perhaps being my best option especially in terms of sonic bang for my buck!
I currently have a SOTM SMS200 Ultra Neo as a dedicated streamer with S Booster power supply (with Curious USB & regen set up in between SOTM & DAC) in a Denafrips Pontus II DAC. Sounds very nice - improvements noted at every step (DAC, power cable, interconnects etc). I have baulked at the high cost of Innous (and other similar products). I do not want to move off Roon (I love the interface, ease of use, versatility and sound options etc) and I do not need or want a whole bunch of features i will never use. Don’t need want storage or ripping (I have Roon Nucleus). I do believe source (e.g. separate servers & steamers) quality matters - my ears don’t lie. Spending 2k on a cartridge puts the price of quality steamers into perspective.
I want to move off USB and onto I2s. The appeal of the Innous that caught my attention was the buffering of the digital file coming into the server before sending onto the DAC. This makes sense to me as a way of producing a tangible sound improvement. I note this is what the Airlens does and in fact it seems this tech was pioneered by PS Audio.
So I am seeking affirmation (albeit in a self affirming forum I assume) that, in fact given the Airlens’s stripped down output options; lack of player interface etc; switch mode PSU & “air” internal connect, by buying one I might be getting the sonic equivalent of a much more expensive Streamer set up, getting closer to the top of range Innous, Aruender, Lumin, Antipodes etc products. All I care about is I2s connect and sonic improvement over existing streamer set up.
Any comments, user feedback, any experience feeding into a Denafrips DAC, tech explanations etc would be appreciated. Apologies for the long winded post!
If you’re exclusively using Roon why wouldn’t you buy Denafrip’s own streamer the Arce for $600 less with a linear power supply?
Possibly because the Airlens might sound better and I can probably test in my system before purchase whereas that is not an option with the Arce. Also like the smaller size of Airlens and I don’t like the set up connection process with I2s between Denafrips products.
Well if you are in the US and know the Air Lens is pin compatible with the Denafrips then just take advantage of the trial and see if it’s better than your current setup. As to size, ones 10"x7" and ones 8"x9" so don’t see a size difference issue. Don’t have any idea what you’re talking about with setup issues as not a Roon user but it seems to me you hook it up and Roon either sees it or it doesn’t. But again the Air Lens is on sale for another day so try it and see.
In Australia but local dealer has one I can test. There isn’t a lot out there regarding Airlens performance (given it hasn’t been to for long etc and in comparison to other streamers) but I have read some users have been happy with Airlens as a streamer to Denafrips. I love the sound signature of my Denafrips.
If your dealer will let you try it then nothing to lose. I understand there were some “new product” issues with the Arce but here is a review from last month using a Pontus II with it.
In the end let your ears tell you if the Air Lens is better than your carefully constructed current setup and not pre-conceived ideas. Good luck.
Even in the PS audio forums there isn’t many good reviews/extend comments on the Airlens. The Airlens Review forum here is mostly meaningless waffle about one reviewer, typical forum stuff which is why I mostly avoid forums. There isn’t much online comment at all which is why I thought I’d post here. Looking to get some more tech insight coupled with actual user sonic experience.
All I can input is that the AirLens via i2s sounded thin and a tad harsh in comparison to CDs via i2s. Have not auditioned very many other streamers to compare.
I would say to check Audio Science Review forums for some tech input, but that place is hideous.
How do you like the Pontus in comparison to PS Audio DACs? I currently have StellarGold DAC which I really like. Didn’t care for the sound of the DirectSteam
I’m using an Innuos Zenith Mk3 via network to my AirLens and I2S into my Mk2. I narrowly prefer the sound of this arrangement to USB out of the Innuos and into the Mk2 via an ISO REGEN.
Cables to and from the AIrLens are Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8, and USB is Synergistic Reference USB to the ISO REGEN and a short Curious USB Evolved into the Mk2,
Good information…
If you want a positive Airlens review, here is one…
Recently changed my setup from a Aurelic streamer via a matrix usb/i2s converter into my dsd mk2 to a Airlens from a Roon Rock nuc. I still cannot believe the difference it made in sound quality and convenience. Some superlative words: holographic, blackness, macro and micro dynamics, frequency extension (both ways) etc etc
I cannot recommend the Airlens highly enough, I always thought that my speakers and/or my tube amps were the limiting factor in my setup. But I completely forgot about upgrading since I have the Airlens.
So, there you have it. My 2 cents
So the Airlens sounds better than a $500 Matrix converter.
No, you cannot say that. What you can say it that remkohuijgen thinks that a Roon Rock nuc going into an Airlens sounds better than an Aurelic streamer into a Matrix.
I know exactly what I’m saying. In his streaming chain he is comparing the devices directly connected to the Mk II. So he is comparing the Airlens to the Matrix. Since the Matrix was only “necessary” and recommended by Ted due to the inequity in the Mk I’s inputs and not needed for the Mk II a fair comparison would be the Auralic vs the Airlens via the same input. Also matters which Auralic model we are talking about. Mini, G series, other?
No I’m not, first I had the Auralic Aries Femto with external PSU directly connected to the usb input of the then DSD mk1. Putting the Matrix with Farad PSU in between to be able to use the I2S input of the DSD mk1 improved the sound a lot (as discussed many times on this forum).
Upgrading to the DSD mk2 and the Airlens I was able to compare the different configurations. I tried the Auralic through the usb input of the DSD mk2 and via the Matrix with Farad combo into the I2S. I heard no difference confirming that the usb input of the DSD mk2 is indeed much better than that of the DSD mk1 and now on par with the I2S input. Comparing the Auralic to the Airlens is day and night. They’re simply not in the same league. And that applies for Qobuz via mconnect or Qobuz and music library on ssd via Roon Rock.
For the money, the Airlens is a no-brainer. I couldn’t be happier.
Remko