I believe some time ago, @jamesh referred to it saying it will definitely be a “streamer,” just not too specific on features. Paul also stated “yes” to Airplay.
Although @Paul just used “airplay,” I strongly suspect he was referring to 2, since that’s been out since 2018, most of my associates that are Apple fans just use “Airplay” when referring to 2 (with a few compelled to always add the “2”).
Yes, indeed, the latest Apple Airplay. One of the many holdups in getting the AirLens out is Apple and its certification process. Never easy.
Thanks for putting that to rest.
To see what a user has posted, visit the user’s profile page from time to time. All their activity is right there on their user page.
Click on the user’s name or picture avatar, and then click on “Activity.”
Thank you, I know this. I was asking for a notification tool able to advise me when a user is posting… anyway if there is not I can live without it, just curiosity. Thank you Elk for you support (and patience).
This is the closest of which I am aware to what you would like. It is not ideal but is easier than searching for posts. A true “follow” feature would be handy.
If I think of anything else I will let you know.
I’m a vinyl guy, forgive me all. Trying to understand digital rig better.
Turntable > Phono Preamp > Preamp is my world.
Assuming the DAC is similar to a Phono Preamp and the AirLens is the transport (like the PST for CDs) similar to a Turntable. Is it correct?
It’s not clear for me the role of software in the process. I’m asking only for internet music not for files (server stored).
And connection wireless from AirLens to core (computer or what-else). Just a little bit confusing.
Thank you.
I dont think any of the specs are public info yet.
As a streamer it simply “streams” or transmits information from the network (internet sites like Qobuz or tidal) or digital files stored on local devices (computer or NAS) to a DAC where they are converted to an analog signal that then goes to your preamp / amp / speakers.
The “streamer” is usually controlled by a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or smart phone.
If the “streamer” is a Roon endpoint you can use Roon as a catalog and playback program. If you use Roon as a player you also need a “Roon Core” which is the master program and can be located anywhere on your network.
In this case : Roon core > streamer > DAC > preamp (or amp) > amp > speakers.
You can also use other software solutions like JRiver or similar. I have used JRiver in the past but nothing else.
Hope this helps!
Yeah - earlier discussion APPEARS to indicate USB, WiFi, and Ethernet (GbE?) for input, but not much known about output (other than i2s).
“Streamer” TENDS to just refer to something that plays files stored in another locations, such as a NAS. The question remains as far as what software/API/protocols it will be compatible with.
The fact that it will stream from a NAS all but guarantees UPnP/DLNA, since it’s pretty much universal as far as compatibility. Paul just confirmed Airplay2.
UPnP/DLNA (even though some consider it old tech and prefer proprietary methods) will mean long established control points like BubbleUPnP will be capable. Bubble (et al.) means you will be able to stream Tidal and Qobuz (and others) even if AL doesn’t directly support the respective API. And so on down the chain…
There is no PS Audio app. on the drawing board (any longer). However, the AirLens will work with other, commercially available apps to allow for the “bridging” of files stored on network attached devices to a DAC. That’s my understanding, FWIW.
I’m certain that it will support I2S out and COAX, but if I remember right, it’s not going to support USB output.
When will it be available? The troops are waiting, waiting, waiting…
Nothing set in stone. I’ve seen alpha units floating around the factory, so that has been cool. Seems like the hardware is pretty far along. The unknown part to me is how long all of the darn licensing takes.
Thank you @Baldy. I assume (as already personally experienced with HDMI Dragon) that I2S cable is the best choice from AirLens to DS DAC MKI or II in the same way from PST to DS DAC.
What about connection from core (MacMini in my case) to AirLens?
It’s rare for me streaming now but I want to try the AirLens as soon as it will be possible and a streamer (in the sense that no files stored are involved) would be the occasion to experiment with ROON (I subscribed to) and Quobuz only.
My intent is to search new music in this way and buy consequently CDs or vinyls in a second step. I cannot imagine to download and archive album but, I know, I want to be “open minded”.
The real doubt comes from sound quality, now my system is all PS Audio and CDs and more vinyls are at the moment in another league IMO.
At the end for testing a new way to listen to music I would prefer to avoid a long and complex chain from MacMini to AirLens (via ethernet fiber ethernet adapter or expensive switches like Melco - that I know I risk to buy soon because temptations in this hobby are everyday rabbit holes for me! - or other boxes and cables and cables and boxes as a crowd on my shelf) so I would be happy if a good quality is granted by a simple wifi connection. Just to start adding to my system only a new HDMI cable and the AirLens.
Almost at the beginning of this new journey… then time will tell.
Now for something less complaining from me and little more trying, I loaded Bubbleupnp on my phone. It does have share drive mapping capability. I was able to push music both from the NAS and from a PC-based Twonky DSD Server via the TV to the DAC both (a) via a receiver linked to the DAC in home theatre mode… so not really using the DAC as the receiver sends analog… and (b) using Toslink for optical digital from the TV direct to the DAC. It was interesting that not only 24-192 FLAC but also DSD128 would play via both routes from the NAS. So I am pretty sure something is get downcoded somewhere in the process. Sometimes DSD files would play with a whole bunch of hissing. But they usually came back clear after a restart. It was interesting that the Bubbleupnp app also worked as a control app for my Silent Angel M1T streamer. But it is nowhere near as handy as the streamer’s app. For example, there are not all the controls to select whether or not to DoP at what level etc. And Bubbleupnp has a disclaimer on their site: BubbleUPnP Server is not an UPnP/DLNA media server: it does not index your media. The M1T streamer does do that with 8GB of memory keeping track of 3TB of music files on the NAS. So, although Bubbleupnp could be viable to use with the AirLens for me as someone who likes fussing with technology, I do not think I would recommend this route for my neighbours.
I expect Roon will work with the AirLens, JRiver Media Center will work, mconnectControl will work and so will many more similarly designed, third-party applications (for control purposes).
As I understand it, “Indexing”/curating a music collection (as opposed to just pinging the files and ordering them over to the network bridge) is a slightly different function and I suspect the choices of available, excellent software that can do this, and is not part of a closed operating system, is more limited.
That said, JRiver and Roon are both excellent organizers of one’s digital music library.
FWIW.
How to create a music collection with Roon/Quobuz? It means you need to buy an album, download a file, store it to search it in future? Or it means you tag an album and a virtual personal library is the place where store it (in a cloud sense) and search it in future? Sorry for my trivial ignorance in this matter.
It’s a streamer, not a server, not a combined streamer/server.
If you want to mount a network drive, scan and create a local library etc. then you need a server (which PSA have said they are not making now iirc).
So Roon (if you have pots of cash) is one option (confirmed as compatible), or something else if not.
@Paul can you confirm (or deny) if Logitech Media Server has been considered as a backend?
Excellent and very supported free open software (as is the endpoint “squeezebox” layer).
Also has a reputation for “better” sound than Roon (I couldn’t comment).
Thanks 
I am not an expert but have some experience…so I hope this helps:
Roon is somewhat unique in that it organizes all of your music on a network AND streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal can be “piggy-backed” on and played through the Roon software.
Streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal will also organize files you select for your internet streaming library in association with these services, but (as far as I know) you cannot “physically” hold Qobuz and Tidal files on your networked devices and play them through Qobuz or Tidal. Rather, their content is maintained “in the cloud”. (Hopefully, others will chime in if I have misstated this.)
I have a lifetime Roon subscription and currently subscribe to Qobuz and Tidal as well. But the interface and functionality of Roon is so superior to the Qobuz and Tidal streaming applications that I only use Qobuz and Tidal software to select and play music from the internet if I am streaming from my iPhone or other mobile device and I am not at home with access to the Roon software (which is housed on my desktop computer at home).
More specifically, in answer to your question:
“Or it means you tag an album and a virtual personal library is the place where store it (in a cloud sense) and search it in future?”
My understanding is that you are correct.
Cheers.
Did you check the renderer settings in Bubble? Bring up the renderer selection window, click on the three dots, and make sure you turn off all the decoding so Bubble doesn’t do any transcoding.