PS Audio AirLens Network Streamer
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The AirLens™ interface brings perfection to streaming
Streaming audio via Roon or other services like Qobuz, Tidal, and Spotify offers millions of titles at the touch of a finger. Unfortunately, connecting your sensitive DAC to the noise generated by computers, routers, NAS, local networks, and modems via either WiFi or Ethernet cable is not a great-sounding solution to bringing high-performance audio into your listening environment. The PS Audio AirLens™ completely eliminates the problems of noise, jitter, and EMI influences through complete galvanic isolation and perfect reclocking of the digital audio signal. You’ve not yet heard how great streaming can sound until you experience audio through the AirLens.
Design
Whether you stream network music through Roon, Audirvana, JRiver, Tidal Direct, Spotify, your NAS, or any DLNA-compatible server, you will introduce unwanted noise into your sensitive DAC. A USB connection to the computer is by far the noisiest method, followed by a close second via Ethernet or WiFi. What is needed to completely remove this injurious noise is the elimination of any electrical connection between the computer, its network, and your DAC. The PS Audio AirLens has both an input stage and a galvanically isolated reclocking output stage. The two are connected only “through the air.” By using separate power supplies, there are no physical ground or signal connections, ensuring 100% isolation and noise-free delivery of perfect digital audio signals.
Application
Eliminating the noisy USB to-computer connection and instead placing the PS Audio AirLens between your home network via Ethernet or WiFi will change forever the performance of streaming music. Once connected to any DAC, the AirLens interface will bring exceptional transparency, resolution, timbral realism, and wide dynamics to any D to A converter. Noise from any number of sources including your computer, long runs of Ethernet cable, EMI interference through WiFi, the system modem and router, all contribute to increased jitter and a general reduction of fidelity in the system. Connecting your DAC via its coax or I2S inputs completely removes the haze and congestion caused by these noise sources.
Technology
>GALVANIC ISOLATION
Galvanic isolation means the complete elimination of any physical electrical connection between input and output. Typically, a common power supply provides ground and power to both inputs and outputs. Once a non-galvanically isolated device is connected to a noise source at its input, its shared ground passes the noise through a common ground to the output stage where the DAC is connected. The challenge with the AirLens was to design two fully isolated stages: input and output, and connect the digital audio signal between the two without any loss. To do this we incorporated a low-noise galvanically isolated DC-to-DC converter to feed power to the AirLens’ output stage. We then deliver the received digital audio data to that clean output stage using only air as the interface. The results are nothing short of amazing. Finally, streaming music with all the noise and jitter-induced haze and congestion gone.
>DIGITAL LENS TECHNOLOGY
Digital audio signals rely upon critical stability in timing to sound their best. Relying upon the clock in your computer or the clock inside of a streaming interface is typically less than ideal. As network musical data enters a computer or streaming interface there is no clock associated with the data. Once collected, the master clock must be added so that your DAC can function properly. Inside the AirLens is our famous Digital Lens technology. Based on a variable RAM buffer, the data is collected and stored before being sent out to the DAC by a high-precision, low-jitter fixed clock. This reclocking of the data coupled with the elimination of noise provides to your DAC the cleanest low jitter digital audio signal possible. The results are stunning. Suddenly, streamed music rivals that of local music from your transport. Experience the difference from the AirLens.
>WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Whether you choose your streamed music through Roon, Audirvana, JRiver, Tidal Direct, Spotify, or any DLNA-compatible source (like your NAS), the addition of the PS Audio AirLens between the network and your DAC will set a new standard of musicality. Simply connect your network to the AirLens through Ethernet or WiFi, then your DAC to the AirLens through either coax (RCA) or I2S (via an HDMI cable) then sit back and be amazed. The AirLens connects any DAC to the outside world via your home network and protects your sensitive DAC from any unwanted noise from cables, computers, and WiFi. The AirLens will handle PCM up to 384kHz, and DSD up to 256 (4X) in DoP or native. The world of streaming just took a major leap forward in sound quality. We cannot wait for you to experience all that streaming has to offer.
Features
- Network interface for streaming music
- PCM up to 352kHz
- DSD to 256 (4x)
- DoP or native
- Galvanically isolated input to output
- Low jitter reclocker
- Digital Lens output
- Elimination of digital noise and hash
- RCA coax output
- I²S output
- Roon Ready
- DLNA Ready
- Improves sound quality
- Eliminates network and WiFi noise
- Tidal Connect
Videos
Updating the AirLens
Our step-by-step guide to updating firmware over-the-air for the AirLens Streamer. Please use DIP Switch 7 in the UP position to update the main firmware. Then power down the AirLens and move DIP Switch 7 into the DOWN position. You can then power up the unit and update the streamer firmware with the same process.
Reviews
HiFi News, July 8, 2024
The AirLens is a ‘network bridge’ between your choice of Roon, Audirvana, JRiver, Tidal Direct, Spotify, your NAS or any DLNA-compatible server, and PS Audio’s top-end DACs.
Jay’s Iyagi (YouTube), January 21, 2024
PS Audio AirLens HiFi Music Streamer is Too Good To Be True for Under 000
Future Audiophile, July 22, 2024
In use, the PS Audio AirLens was flawless in respect to glitches and ease of connectivity. The PS Audio AirLens looks great…The fit and finish are luxurious and conform with PS Audio design cues
Jim Clements, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, August 21, 2024
The sound I got from the PS Audio AirLens was almost a surprise, it was so good. The sound was “organic”, tending to the performance level of an analog source
The Sound Advocate, May 16, 2024
The PS Audio AirLens is a great-sounding unit that just worked. …it is the perfect streamer to own
Constantine Soo’s Dagogo, July 26, 2024
I wish for my audio system to thrill me, not lull me to sleep. I become excited about a product that moves my listening sessions into uncharted territory of performance, and the AirLens with the Mk2 were leading me onto new listening ground.
Mr. Underhill, Maverick Hi-Fi Forum, July 26, 2024
The soundstage was a that bit deeper, vocals were a tad clearer, effects easier to differentiate, and issues within recordings were better handled
Product Specifications
General
Unit Weight
4.8 lbs (2.2 kg)
Unit Dimensions
10 × 7 × 1.5 in (25.4 × 17.8 × 3.8 cm)
Shipping Weight
6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)
Shipping Dimensions
5.8 × 13.6 × 11.6 in (14.6 × 34.6 × 29.4 cm)
Color Options
Black, Silver
Voltage
Universal
Mains Power Input
100–240VAC, 50–60Hz
Power Consumption
5W typical, 10W maximum
Included Accessories
Power cord
Inputs
Network
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
Audio Outputs
Digital Outputs
I²S, S/PDIF Coaxial
Audio Performance
PCM Support
Up to 384kHz / 32-bit
Native DSD
Up to DSD256 via I²S output
DoP (DSD over PCM)
Up to DSD128 via S/PDIF Coaxial output
Network Support
Wi-Fi
IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz dual-band)
Ethernet
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi Setup
WPS
Streaming & Connectivity
DLNA 1.5 / UPnP AV 1.0 Digital Media Renderer
Spotify Connect
Roon Ready
TIDAL Connect
Qobuz (via Roon)
Dropbox (via Roon)
MQA Support
Choose options