No offens, you are right. I’m feeling as I was on old school times, seating in an ignorance waiting, questioning and speculating to understand concepts, open minded to learn something from professors.
Thank you guys for your effort in eleveting my knowledge from zero to a less embarrassing level in digital matters.
I give up on you.
Yes, if you have Roon separately somehow and a PS Audio DAC, then the AirLens is perfect for you. Like folks have said, it is the new bridge option for the new Mk-II DAC… kept externally for isolation reasons etc. Certainly there is physical room enough for the AirLens guts in the housing of the PSA DAC.
That describes my situation! Intel NUC > Bridge II. Very much looking forward to release of the AirLens 
Didn’t I get it right in the end that it does the same job as RPi just way better? It has an OS on board and you use it as a Roon endpoint?
You are correct that if you wish to stay with your Innuos streamer there would be no need to add an AirLens. I think you’ll find that replacing the Innuos with an AirLens might have some sonic advantages.
The AL must have software since it’s a Roon event, no? And it has Ethernet. So why not NAS + AL?
I am extremely happy with my iMac as AirPlay and BlueOS server. Both server platforms access the same library that is automatically backed up by Apple time machine. My preference for system compatibility is the BlueOS platform for local streaming. If it only had Apple Music integrated like Qobus I’d use that platform in the house only.
I stick to Apple Music because of ease when on the road, which I used to be a lot. My entire lossless (ALAC/CD quality) library fits on modern iPhones when purchased with extra memory.
As my name says, I early became an Apple fan boy, Ever since Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started selling the Apple II computer and first Mac approx 38 years ago. At that time I’d take any IT course and job that would allow me to work with those marvels of technology. Had to work hard to be able to afford my first Mac Mini and iPod in 2007 and iPhone in 2014.
These are emotional reasons.
For pure technical reasons the new Mac Mini M1 is a extremely versatile and well suited music server:
No, the answer is “it depends”.
If you want to feed the I2S input to a PSA DAC, you MAY need something like the Air Lens, since not all streamers/endpoints have I2S outputs.
Many servers can be used as both server and endpoint. You do not need AirLens to stream music if your server can do the job. But to take advantage of I2S, a AirLens will provide sonic advantage over, say, a Matrix I believe.
My Euphony Summus 2 server has an I2S output connected to DS, but they also made a Euphony Summus endpoint. I ask them what the purpose for an additional endpoint is. I was told if you use the server as Roon core, a separate endpoint will reduce the processing load of server. There is a sonic advantage to having a separate endpoint.
I do not have Roon, so I do not need an AirLens. But if adding it will improve the sound. I will not hesitate to get one. Afterall, isn’t better sound is what we are seeking?
Once again we are going in parallel Donald. My purpose purchasing the Innuos ZENith+PhoenixNET was to understand if able to improve SQ compared to Mac Mini. Just the ZENith demonstrated a huge improvement, this evening I add the Phoenix as soon as arrive home, I’ll tell you (what a surprise, meanwhile arrived also the Inakustik CAT7!).
Sense App sounds a lot better than Roon, at the moment. The Matrix is on the path.
Future plan: as you said, I will keep the Innuos as server/core, using Roon and Sense as software player, finally I will say bye bye to the Matrix, feeding the DS DAC through the AirLens.
I bet on double excellences, Innuos on one side, the first path, and PS Audio on the end. Hope this makes sense (not the app!)
Luca, time to enjoy your vacation! 
But after your vacation, let me know how you think about Inakustik ethernet. Mine is still out there somewhere.
Am I safe in saying the only thing that will work with the Airlens is Roon?
Think of the AirLens as a fancy Bridge I or Bridge II Ethernet card.
The AirLens will be recognizable as an endpoint for most every streamer/renderer/transporter and its accompanying controller (remote control application) that are designed to deliver digital audio to a network-connected “endpoint”.
I hope that helps some.
Cheers.
Thanks Scotte 1. I just tried the Roon free trial period and couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t connect to my node and found out you needed a computer or laptop. I havnt used a computer in like 2 years as I do everything on my iPad and iPhone now. Roon is no longer an option for me with the Airlens.
Yes, the software package (Roon Core) has to reside on a computer of some sort, and its sole purpose is to manage your stored files and/or your subscription services as a coherent and seamless library of music.
If you have no need for such a music library manager/experience, then it is certainly not for you.
That said, I think it is incredible software. Did you spend any time on their website describing the basics of its purpose and service?
If not, I recommend yo do so - it just might be for you after all:
https://roonlabs.com/howroonworks
Cheers.
Think of the AirLens as a fancy Bridge I or Bridge II Ethernet card.
Dam now I’m really confused, so you need a streamer plus airlens? Or is airlens a streamer like say a node?
I believe you can use McontrolHD app to stream QOBUZ, & Tidal; just like Bridge II now. It’s a box instead of a card.
Can I do this without a computer like you would need with Roon
I’m with you – the whole thing makes my head spin.
I have digital files stored on a NAS, feeding my DSD/Bridge combination via ethernet. I don’t own a streamer or a server and I’m not sure what either would bring to the party. (I guess if I didn’t own the NAS I would need a server to store my files.)
I’m interested in the AirLens because I would like to be able to play DSD 128 and higher, which the Bridge cannot do. I hope it will also bring higher sound quality, and it should be a good match for the DS Mk II (I’m not sure the latter will fit into my budget, but that’s for later).