What are those now?
Sorry, I lost context for this comment. I think we were both typing at the same time.
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I also think Paul & Co. are pretty enamored with the “Air Gap” noise isolation approach and are looking to deploy it in any digital-device they think will benefit the digital stream. 
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I hope so!
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Loud and clear on that.
With the Bridge 2 they were at the mercy of another company. Much like the second transport and Oppo. Twice bitten, not going to go there again.
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One less egg to fry.
Al, when you say that the Nucleus+ has poor sound quality, do you mean when using it to output via USB to a DAC? Or do you also mean when using it as a Roon core to send data over a network to a product like the AirLens via Paul’s much touted uPnP? A neighbour has problems whenever Roon puts out an update, like now for their move to .NET, and the non-Roon manufacturer of his Roon core streamer does not seem to be ready for it. I was wondering if he would be better off using a Nucleus as his Roon core, since it is a Roon product. His DAC is a Bricasti M1 to which he could add their network bridge. He would not use USB from the Nucleus. Any other recommendations from you or from the other forum denizens appreciated!
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My experience has been with Nucleus servers when used as a Roon Core and stream out via Ethernet. I have also heard them connected to a Matrix and then i2s to a DSD. You can recognize the music okay, it just pales in comparison to say a Sonic Transporter or a Euphony server or an Aries G1 or G2. It puzzles me why I hear not so good and the reviewers say oh boy this is grand. I want it to be good but in my experience it isn’t.
A Euphony PTS server from Power-Holdings is less than half the price and sounds way better. It also offers its own music interface in addition to Roon. It’s own interface which works with Qobuz and Tidal as well as local files sounds a tad better than Roon. But I always run Roon on mine. For my money a small computer optimized for music running Roon sounds better than the Nucleus.
I could be wack about this, but I don’t think so. If anyone reading this loves their Nucleus, continue to do so but perhaps examine other opportunities. I think for less money one can do better.
It’s very interesting to hear your experience since I am ready to dig in the “Roon ready” rabbit hole. Your post will be saved in my treasure box. I’m still waiting for the AL arrival. Paul mentioned with AL, the Roon SQ will be improved and there’s no need for their own SW/server anymore. we will see.
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8 posts were merged into an existing topic: Technical and Subjective Differences Between Roon and JRiver Media Center
@aangen Thanks for the lead on the Euphony Summus. According to the US seller, they are from Germany. Embarrassing that I missed reading about a for me local product in Copper in May 2021. I included them in a post I just made to the compatible-i2s-source-devices thread.
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@Paul, if we can’t talk about concrete Airlens features yet, it would at least be interesting to know from those who are deep into all considerations, what of the noise influences happening before the streamer can generally be fixed at the input (galvanic isolation) or not?
What are the parasitic influences by e,g, simple power supplies of hard discs, NAS drives, switches, processors etc that harm the signal steadily before, in a way that can’t be corrected or blocked at the streamer input?
Can’t believe that with galvanic isolation at the streamer, audiophile routers and switches as well as linear power supplies at the storage and network components then don’t play a role anymore. Would be nice, but…
Well, I am not waiting. I have dropped my Matrix + USB for a new A Capella III by Musica Pristina.
A US made, Roon Ready Streamer with dedicated I2S output.
Beautiful device. Finally, I can play my library of DSD64, DSD128 AND DSD256 audio to my Directstream plus PCM up to 352.4. Internal LPS adds to the very low noise floor. Best audio SQ I have ever heard from my DSD DAC!
Reach out to Kevin at Musica Pristina for a trial.
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Congrats! How does it sound compared to Matrix?
Better in almost every way.
I have tried numerous other Streamers using a Matrix X-SPDIF 2 to convert USB to I2S.
IFI ZEN Stream, Lumen, Rose Audio.
To me, and of course you need to listen for yourself, the A Capella III combination with the DSD DAC via I2S is the best sound I’ve gotten. Plus it plays all my .dsf music.
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I think that is going to be my Roon endpoint i2s streaming solution for a new 2nd system that I am putting together.
Kevin seems like a very straight shooter and the company is small enough that he is very hands on. Just my type of place to deal with.
Thanks for posting the recommendation.
So you must have a bunch of used stuff for sale. I’m looking for a SBooster power supply and/or RAL HDMI.
Is there any more concrete schedule for Airlens meanwhile than none for both Airlens and DS Mk II?
Not that I’ve heard. Paul has some very optimistic plans for them to be available this summer, but in our meeting this week, sounds like they got pushed more into fall time.
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