Thanks, so I personally wouldn’t hold my breath for this year, at least not outside the US, let’s see.
I assumed this was going to happen which is why I pulled the trigger on a Signature Rendu. I wanted the elevate performance sooner than later. When the AL comes out, I can either move the Rendu to another system of sell it. But to be honest, it’s so good, the AL has a lot to live up to.
Same thoughts here; I got the confirmation email that my Euphony Summus 2 server will be here next week. It can be used as an endpoint or connecting to Bridge2. The good news is I can just add the AL as an endpoint later if there is further improvement.
Also, a little upgrade to the Orbi modem/router; I plugged it into an AudioQuest IEC 3 power strip (with a spared Audio Envy 3 pc), and the power cord goes into an on-wall Isobar surge protector. The streaming SQ improves quite a bit. Everything matters in streaming too.
How does the Signature Rendu compare to the Optical Rendu since you have experienced both? I have an Optical Rendu feeding a Matrix to my DSD via i2s, Audioquest Dragon hdmi. I would appreciate any insights you might have. Thanks
I’m still struggling to fully understand what Airlense product is?
I know about the isolation part.
But what are the inputs and what are the outputs?
Is there a photo of the back panel that you can share?
Ethernet in, near as I can tell at least USB and I2S out.
This has been discussed many times in this topic. It’s a network endpoint. Ethernet in and I2S, AES, and USB out.
If ethernet is the only input, I hope @Paul @jamesh checks to make sure it is the most future proof network card available at the moment.
We now have Apple Music and Amazon Music HD offering lossless streaming and Spotify HiFi (delayed but still coming).
We don’t just have Tidal and Qobuz like a few years ago.
The safest option would be using a BluOS card inside.
I really hope it isn’t the limited mConnect one again.
Adding USB input and SPDIF at least allows the option for external streamer, if the Airlsense becomes obsolete in a few years due to new streaming protocols.
Streaming is moving at a fast pace.
I suppose you are going to have to wait like the rest of us.
I’m sure they’ve never thought about that.
There are many big name brands releasing new products without support for some of the most popular streaming protocols today.
Don’t assume they are aware of everything.
In communication with some of PS AUdio’s competitors, you would be surprised at some things they are not aware of.
There is no harm with friendly polite messages here.
It’s amazing what you kind find if you scroll up.
Or this…
I already wrote this:
That’s a great question. And I am going to say right up front that I’m the last person you should expect audiophile lingo from, so bear with me.
I went back and forth with both over several weeks. With a Kitsune KTE SU-2 between the opticalRendu and the Signature, the Signature simply has more of everything. By this I mean music has more weight, it is noticeably fuller. My Wife used the word “richer”.
The difference between an ultraRendu and an opticalRendu is noticeable and it’s the same here going to the Signature. I think with the Signature you can hear the difference in the mids and bass.
After I was done testing between the optical and Sig, I moved on to listening to the Sig and comparing it connected to the KTE SU-2 and using the I2S output and going straight out of the Sig via USB into the DS. With this testing, I personally could not hear a difference. I tried this multiple times over the course of a week. Both sounded identical to me. So, for the time being, the Sig is attached to the DS with USB.
I hope this helps.
Yes! This is very insightful. I am very happy with the Optical Rendu, but the Signature has always intrigued me. The Optical was a bargain in my opinion. I am very curious how the AL eventually measures up. I plan on waiting for the AL and then compare it to the Optical in my system. I look forward to reading your observations comparing the AL in your system. Thank you again!
At this time, 1GbE capability is widely available even among the cheapest NIC. Beyond that, you have 2.5GbE, and up to 5GbE via aggregation.
As standards progress - even beyond 5GbE, you can be sure that the governing body (IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) will make sure further advances will be backward compatible, just as even the 5GbE standard is backward compatible all the way back to 10BASE5 (thicknet/802.3) in protocol, even if adapters are necessary (thicknet used coaxial cable).
1GbE is already more than capable of streaming anything MUSIC today - certain video protocols needing more bandwidth (commercial), but that’s will not be the impetus for the AL anyway.
Even now, 2.5 and 5GbE ports (usually via port aggregation) is very rare in HOME equipment except for a few, VERY expensive gear marketed for crazy gamers (because latency is everything to a gamer).
Even then, VERY few households even have access to service with that kind of speed.
By the time the source (music streaming) tech even touches what CURRENT data tech is capable of (let alone future tech), the AL will be so old it will be like trying to use a Commodore computer to do your office work.
Even your “standard” 1080 (full HD) video stream only requires about 5mbps for glitch free streaming (per stream).
I’m not talking about speed of ethernet input at all.
It looks like AirLens will support Shairport’s Airplay - not the current official certified Airplay 2.
If Apple releases an update that allows Airplay 2 to support hires casting direct from the Apple Music app, then AirLens would be left behind already with Apple Music Hires Streaming.
BluOS supports Amazon Music HD. Will AirLens? Doesn’t sound like it.
As I wrote about, lossless streaming is now beyond just Qobuz and Tidal.
If PS Audio is just focusing on those users, I guess that’s fine for them. But hopefully PS Audio are looking beyond Qobuz and Tidal - we know have more lossless streaming options and more coming.
Clarification by @Paul would be appreciated.
Compatibility will be more dependent on the service than PS. Services can be notoriously tight about their APIs - especially megalomaniac companies like Apple and Amazon that keep tight control on who can license/use their API under the guise of “user experience” when in reality, it’s all about control and the almighty dollar.
Kind of like the Microsoft DRM debacle when Amir was the VP of Digital Media.