I’m not a big fan, for me Qobuz hirez files sound more analog like to me (smooth)
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Just like everything else in this hobby, it’s all about what makes each of us happy with what we are hearing.
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Part of the “magic sauce”* of MQA is that the higher resolution unfolds are supposed to correct for any issues in the DAC. This is why anything beyond the first unfold must be done in the DAC. Since AirLens isn’t a DAC it will not be able to unfold the MQA. The AirLens should be able to pass an MQA’d bitstream to an MQA DAC though. Although, most of those DACs require the MQA come in on the USB input which AirLens won’t support.
*and I use “magic sauce” in quotes as we can debate if MQA provides any value elsewhere. However, this “magic sauce” isn’t all that magical when you realize almost every “full MQA unfold” DAC utilizes an XMOS USB receiver and an ESS DAC chip.
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I’m intrigued! MQA unfolding (beyond that done by Roon) is only possible in the Directstream via the Bridge II, as I understand it. I was thinking the AirLens is an external Bridge III so could do the same, but better in the unfolding stakes. Will be keen to hear what @Paul can advise!
The Bridge II is a hardware module from a 3rd party. That 3rd party has a MQA license to for full unfold and hand the decoded, up to 384, to the DAC via an internal I2S. I don’t believe the AirLens is using the same 3rd party streaming module as I thought one of the design goals was to bring this entirely in-house.
But, yes, let’s hear from PS Audio. If they can decode and send via the external I2S that would be very interesting. PS Audio would have to license MQA though and… I suspect that isn’t going to happen based on comments Paul has made in the past.
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I’m with you, I’ll play Qobuz over Tidal if both have the same album and sample rates.
Interesting that Qobuz also does MQA, but doesn’t make a big thing of it. Playing David Elias’s Crossing (Remastered) on Qobuz results in what looks like a 46/16 album play at 176/24 via the Bridge II.
Your post energised me to see if I can get Roon to prefer Qobuz over Tidal by default - just locked that one in!
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I had both Tidal and Qobuz for quite a while. As an experiment, I turned off Tidal in Roon. but kept the service running for two months. After the two months it was clear I didn’t miss Tidal at all.
I also like the purchase discount with Qobuz.
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Given the cost of shipping, etc. May be they could provide a loyalty discount to customers who have registred and still own one! 
I have two!
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Agree, and perhaps also who has registered more of PS Audio products (I have 9 and 6 still on the rack today). Giving extra discount to importer on specific orders (pieces) placed by loyal customers.
The importer sometimes needs to buy (and pay) at its own risk if he will not sell the goods purchased on the market.
On the contrary if we (customers from another country, say Italy where I live) are already placing an order, there are no risks for nor the importer and neither the dealer. Why do not give us a special premium.
The dealer is also able to resell the used DACs returned.
For example a combo DS DAC MK II + AirLens, why do I have to pay the same (doubled) price compared to other customers if I’m ready to pre/order on scheduled basis?
I know I know it’s not simple for PS Audio, but it might be a way to recognize us a different treatment, always in total respect of importer and dealers. Like a special promotion.
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I’d love something like that. I think that might help to make upgrades to PS Audio products more accessible.
The recommended retail price on the combined DS2 and AirLens, if there continues to be no trade in program by dealers outside the US, or something similar to what you described are likely to be be, well… gulp…
Thanks Paul.
Any idea of the recommended and maximum physical separation of the DSII and AL over I2S will be?
Or putting it another way, what is the recommended and maximum length of I2S cable to connect the two units.
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Luca, I live in The Netherlands, I have been complaining and begging about the overseas prices. PS Audio’s response was that PS Audio does not want to develop any international business model that would only have the slightest impact on their home (US) market.
In case overseas customers like PS Audio products so much, they can pay the price or … move on. Even though in Europe there are regularly sales actions the prices don’t get close to North American. Even though being in NATO our politicians have decided to raise tariffs against each other and those have quite the impact.
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I think it doesn’t make sense to bother with conditions in the countries of origin. If products are competitive abroad, too, they sell, otherwise not.
What matters is if reliability and the corresponding service abroad are lower priority, too, for companies. Then at least expensive, complex and/or sensible products won’t sell well and reputation suffers.
I’d consider very seriously which overseas expensive product to buy, how service and shipping conditions within warranty time would be and especially if there’s a local repair option after warranty time or if there’s always an overseas shipping involved or whole boards are exchanged instead of smaller issues repaired.
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I was referring to promotions, not price list in general.
I perfectly understand (and I duly accept) that a PSA product has a different cost in Europe. Taxes, shipment, marginality of the distribution chain (importer + dealer) make sense or almost… this goes the world. I will be very happy to buy directly by PS Audio from Boulder if I could, but the importer could refuse to distribute the brand so Paul and Scott had to decide: directly or by importers/dealers. With all consequnces on warranty, repair cost, and so on. In US in one way, all over the world in another way. I perfectly understand pros and cons.
But… but… each time a promotion happens, so to speak a combo DS MK II + AirLens, it may imply a return business of old units from owners interested to upgrade their systems.
In this case going directly on the market like in US brings lots of opportunities. On the contrary it never has been studied, in co-operation with importers, a solution applicable abroad. I think that an extra discount on the import price would be a possibility, under the proof of a register product involved by the customer, would be a solution. The extra discount of course needs to be turned from the importer to the local dealer that faces the business with customers.
It may increase sales of new units, it may increase the market of used units. Ps Audio wins, importers/dealers win, customers are happy. No complications on the usual distribution chain, just a little bit of more work to do promoting the things.
I would be curious to know the % revenues of PS Audio between US market and EU and/or the rest of the world. Is there a way to improve them?
I already suggested, sorry for that, a legal subject in EU owned by PS Audio (a factory I mean) able to produce (just assembling) and repair products located on EU area. A big step able to sensibly decrease shipment costs and taxes, opening to a new market in a different way. Even if keeping actual distribution chain by national importers and local dealers actually involved. Until that, which other ways PS Audio can invent to incentivate sales in EU? Food for sales managers thoughts.
AudioQuest factory in The Netherlands is a perfect example and maybe would be a partner.
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Understand.
Not an article but this guy does a deep dive in a 2 part video. Very long but if your interested. He’s not a fan
He also didn’t care for the DCS Bartok, which I’ve heard and really liked, but he “calls ‘em like he see’s ‘em”
Best,
-JP
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You know, here’s an idea. I’m sure There are people on this forum in the US who can buy for you and then forward you the package. (I would.) Slightly not above board but at a least a workaround.
And especially from someone in one of those states (like Washington, Delaware etc) with no sales tax!
You wouldn’t have the registration in your name I guess and stuff like that, but you save thousands of euros
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It depends on how much sales PSA has in the EU and how much in UK. If not that much compared to the US, might not make that much financial sense for PSA. What with all the regulatory burdens etc.
Plus if a large proportion is in non-EU countries (like UK thanks to Brexit), then even more complex.
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Thank you, very kind of you but it seems not doable (rules about invoices, taxes) not to mention warranty and other things (voltage models, technical issues and parts). But I appreciate so much your proposal, truly. A glass of good italian wine for you as soon as we can!
Some promotions ad hoc may work in a more “official” distribution chain, in respect of all the subjects along the chain.
As for sales convenience in EU market, I agree, it largely depends on numbers and future strategies of PS Audio brand. Who knows?
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Voltage is an issue, true. (You could work around it with a US power plant connected to a 240-120V transformer.) The warranty not so much, I think since it’s transferable. Don’t know about taxes.
I bought a Bavarian cuckoo clock for 2500€ a couple of months ago since the dollar is so high and would you believe there was no import duty or tax? (Or VAT!)
Next time I’m in Italy (we go every couple of years) I’ll have to swing by Milano and have a g glass of wine with you. Was supposed to go to Sicily last December but our flight was the day after they found omicron in the US and Biden was going to declare an emergency. So we canceled it. Oh well.
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