PS Audio AirLens

I have no more suggestions since I am using wireless. I hope your new switch will improve the system, and I think Airlens in future will bring it to the next level.

But the power cords made so much improvement to the streamer in my system. The new Dragon Source PC connecting to the PS that serves Summus 2 server is simply amazing!

1 Like

Related(?) suggestion:

Move the PF LAN Isolator to the DS input.

I doubt it benefits you to place it just before the MacMini, which may be the noisiest kit in the signal chain. :man_shrugging:

Mmm…

The DS input is I2S from Matrix via Dragon HDMI 48, don’t use ethernet now (I will probably use ethernet input when the AirLens is here).

So PinkFaun Ethernet Isolator can go only in RJ45 wall or switch or (where it now) MacMini. I supposed (maybe I’m wrong) that cleaning the LAN before the MacMini may in some way reduce noise from the router (that resides 2 floors upstairs with 50 feet of running cable inside walls) and from the MacMini back itself.

Just wondering if acting on software set up (MacMini MIDI or Roon) may have some better result.

Gotcha. My mistake.

I only use I2S for DMP connection, and my perspective is biased due to my use of the Bridge II Ethernet card for my “networked” audio.

1 Like

Just tried to change something.

  1. Putting away from the path the Intona USB isolator. Less is more…
  2. Selecting in Roon preferences Signal Path Lossless (all purple) settings (Roon Advanced Audio Transport for MacMini and Audio Exclusive to let Roon control exclusively the output).

Now all is better, really better. Image is better centered, sound is more open and realistic. Less flat and dull than before.

I feel I’m going on the right way.

1 Like

I took my Intona out of my chain as well.

1 Like

Innuos started 13 years ago in the UK due to the demand for network attached storage. It is no surprise that it was founded in 2009, the same year as Linn launched their DS streamers. There weren’t many other options. It was appreciated at the time that a pared down device was going to be much better than a full-blown desktop or laptop. I bought a device that used a MS and a pared down version of Windows Media Player. It was pretty rubbish and playback could halt when MS sent an auto-update.

They refined their hardware, developed their operating system, built in Roon Core and then spent years developing their own optimised streamer software. It’s been very much a process of evolution rather than revolution, which is commercially pretty safe, just making incremental advances rather than claiming anything game-changing. They are about to release a range of steamers without hard drives, just following market trends for not needing hard drive storage and hence reducing the cost of the product.

I think they are popular because they are pretty utilitarian products that do what people want, competently, for a sensible price.

Melco and Lumin also did much the same thing, Melco being a massive company.

Yes I know, they now start to offer pure streamers, too.

Their main focus still are servers with the optimization of the hard disk, SW, HW, Bios, PSU combination together with their network products.

To me it seems they just offer streamers as an alternative for people with lesser demands than the server customers, not as PSA for people who want to reach similar results with them (e.g. using attached NAS) as with fully optimized servers (inheriting integrated streamers).

1 Like

Have you considered an auto bias? Manual is so 1974.

I feel like you and I have had this conversation recently :wink:

If I were you, I’d simply start all over, get rid of all the extra, listen, and add back one thing at a time.

2 Likes

You definitely inspired me indeed!

Today I’ll take all away from my house kitchen, beds, sofas, shoes and cloths (of my wife) and ask her to add back one at a time to understand if really needed and useful or pleasant for our lives. I guess she could add back more things than they were present before! Or running out for urgent compulsive shopping!

Kidding a part, during last weeks I discovered thanks to this inspirational forum, that the sound is better without:
dust cover caps on unsused plugs
rubber disc on CDs
dampening piece of metal on tubes
isolator various boxes
It seems that sometimes subtraction works!

I only have to remember this, learning the lesson, each time I feel the impulse to buy the new toy able to improve, increase, render, open (what?)… my wallet!

2 Likes

Tube dampers and CD mats never worked for me. They kill all the magic in my system.

1 Like

At what point do you think she will add you back?

3 Likes

Same here. Away with them!

I’m afraid the answer is obvious, my friend!

After the shopping to pay the bills! Of course! :high_heel::high_heel::handbag::gem:

1 Like

Even before (credit cards needed!)

1 Like

Surprisingly the best results I got in really sound enhancement came from less expensive tweakings invented by our Master Vmax. Really thank you guy and best luck!

Not to mention tubes, fuses and cables.

I’m now entering the digital rabbit hole, due to performance anxiety for the imminent (?) arrival of the AirLens, a totally unknown territory for me. So this forum again would be fundamental during the journey, thank you all.

2 Likes

Well Paul has a point. The streamed signal is transported all over the world trough countless different switches, routers etc.

Jitter is no issue processing IP streaming audio datapackages:

Regarding this issue Paul is absolutely right. If jitter in IP protocol switches and routers would matter as much as audiophile clock manufacturers claim - there shouldn’t be any music left in the streaming music datapackage that arrives at your internet access point at home. Just consider the long non audiophile path the package has already travelled at that point.

Noise generated by the power supplies and CPUs in switches to process checksums and error corrections at ultra high speed to the music datapackages is another issue. However only very small. Solving that noise issue properly is very expensive and really not straight forward, look at the efforts @aangen described above in this thread to bring his streaming sound quality to the level of local CD play back.

The difference in SQ for streaming is too small for me to be bothered. Besides, I have a CD player and turntable that cost a fraction of the gear required to condition the streaming signal. It does sound better. Additionally I enjoy the handling of physical media with its original artwork.

4 Likes

In our household, of you add up the money spent on non-essential goods, gadgets, records, gear etc., I expect I’m the one she’s having to support.

2 Likes