Airport express by ethernet

Yes, Airport Express can be connected via (cabled) Ethernet, then a short optical cable to your DAC.

The squeeze box devices could be considered as an alternative to Airport Express - though technically they work in a very differnet way day to day usage is similar.

Eloise

Thanks Eloise, good to know that works.

I know about the squeezebox, but it's not really what I'm looking for.

Does anyone know of any reasonably priced alternatives to the AE that simply convert the ethernet signal to a digital audio out?

David

Hi,
there is unfortunately no altenative at this price point, I think. Especially with such a good user interface (iTunes, optional "remote" on iPod Touch/iPhone...).
And you dont have to run a server sofware, just iTunes. The optical-output could be better (Jitter, etc.), I know...

quote:

Originally posted by David Scott?:
Thanks Eloise, good to know that works.

I know about the squeezebox, but it's not really what I'm looking for.

Does anyone know of any reasonably priced alternatives to the AE that simply convert the ethernet signal to a digital audio out?

David

David

What you are asking for is not just a conversion.

When in the ethernet domain it is not a 'signal' or something like that. While in ethernet it consists of small packages of data that may or may not be received in the right order. All devices that are ethernet enabled are realyy small computers or mediaplayers which are capable of interacting with an ethernet computer network, reconstructing the file or stream that is sent to it and then play the audio file thereby creating a digital or analogue audio signal.

So when connecting to ethernet you would need a network enabled mediaplayer or streamer of which there are plenty from relatively cheap to mighty expensive.

-
aleg

Aleg,

I kind of knew that. I was just wondering if there was anything other than the airport express that was:

A. cheaper
b. able to be controlled from the computer.

I realised that I used the words 'convert' and 'signal' very loosely.

David

quote:

Originally posted by David Scott?:
Aleg,

I kind of knew that. I was just wondering if there was anything other than the airport express that was:

A. cheaper
b. able to be controlled from the computer.

I realised that I used the words 'convert' and 'signal' very loosely.

David

David

That's OK maybe it can help someone else.

But to be honest, I've seen nothing as cheap as the Airport express so if it fulfills your need, I would grab it.

-
aleg

Neither have I. I suspect you're probably right.

Thanks,

David

Yes the Airport can do exactly what you want.

BUT

The last time I tried it's optical out it was very flaky breaking up all the time. It turned out that the optical out of the AE was broken and it was a known problem.

Not sure if it is the same way with the Naim DAC. When I have time I could try it out.

But it is a very well known problem. Google it and you will find many discussions on it.

Another reliable, cheap way is to get a used Squeezebox Classic. Not as slick interface as the AE, but more audio-centric.

It is a very clever little device in its narrow range of applications. I found the AE to be great. Except for wireless dropouts. My Laptop was accessing the files via wireless, then sending to the AE via wireless, so I was arguably setting myself up for fail. (My microwave would cause dropouts!)

If you use an AE with ethernet, it would eliminate the issues I had. All other things being equal, ethernet should be more reliable.

Hi David,

i'm not 100% sure...but can AE play high-res files or is it limited by 16/44?

Ralf

Its limited to 16/44.1. It's a very cheap way of getting music around the house (i use one with a Tivoli radio if i want music in the garden) but for serious listening its digital output is bettered by a number of devices.

James

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
It is a very clever little device in its narrow range of applications. I found the AE to be great. Except for wireless dropouts. My Laptop was accessing the files via wireless, then sending to the AE via wireless, so I was arguably setting myself up for fail. (My microwave would cause dropouts!)

If you use an AE with ethernet, it would eliminate the issues I had. All other things being equal, ethernet should be more reliable.

It is a very clever and slick little device indeed. But the known glitch with the signal breaking is to do with the TOSLINK, not the LAN. I used to have that problem with wired Ethernet and TOSLINK to my Meridian portable.

Too bad they do not allow links here. There is a discussions over at the Apple forum and people reported problem with syncing with all sorts of devices, there was in fact a firmware upgrade from Cambridge to work around that particular.

Not trying to scare anyone away, it is wonder when it worked. But if it does not work, it will not be a very useful device. Unless like me you are using it as a second access point for my bedroom.

Here is a link, let's see if the link police will delete it.

http://discussions.apple.com/m...pa?messageID=9184953

There´s a great working fix for Supernait-owners, discussed in this forum under:
"SuperNait doesn't like Airport Express"

Only with the new AE "n", sometimes I had one small dropout after starting a new playlist/album.
This is the solution for Supernait (quoting David Dever):
"You might have an issue with a wild sample clock on the AirPort Express - try putting the SUPERNAIT into program mode and, having selected the desired input, press the aux1 button to force bypass the internal DAC's reclocking facility."

is this a mac only site

Airport express works ( or not ) with pc's too.