Apple tries to bridge the gap between PC and stereo

Brad · « **on:** 7 Jun 2004, 08:13 pm »

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

Not sure I understand how the same port on the device can be analog and optical out

Mathew_M · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jun 2004, 08:33 pm »

It's not exactly a misprint either because the nomenclature appears several places. Technically it's impossible I would think to include both analog and optical with a single connection.

Otherwise this is pretty cool. I might pick it up instead of splurging for another Airport card for my G5.

The real news is coming later this year when Apple will hopefully introduce a wireless firewire device. I work in event production and the concept that I could have multiple cameras rolling and do live mixing without running hundreds of feet of cabling is exciting. Otherwise for the average in home user you'll be able to channel high quality video sources through out your home. I betcha we'll see an Apple wireless/firewire TiVo like device later this year as well.

Ferdi · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jun 2004, 09:16 am »

This is very cool. I just want one to play with! I already have regular AP and Powerbook though.

I am not even sure that this is something that is good for Audio but it is a cool toy.

I have not ordered yet as delivery in Europe is sometime in July.

jackman · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jun 2004, 08:50 pm »

That's next on my list. I have an iPod and iTunes has really cool internet radio stations (all free) that I play all the time in my office. It would be cool to have the ability to play them on my main system or workout room. Not critical listening stuff but cool techno and punk rock stations that are fun to play during parties or workouts. Hmmmm, $129? Sounds pretty tempting.

J

thayerg · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 05:28 am »

Airport express is great. I mistakenly posted news of some research i did to upgrade my file server plus install an airport express in the multichannel forum. I use the mini digital out to a meridian 518 and on to a 565 and I'm very impressed with how good an mp3 or AAC file can sound. on the other hand a bad mp3 is just plain ugly. The point is that the thing can't be beat for the price.

8thnerve · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 12:55 pm »

Quote from: Mathew_M

It's not exactly a misprint either because the nomenclature appears several places. Technically it's impossible I would think to include both analog and optical with a single connection.
...

It is similar to how you can get either an analog or digital signal out of the multipin connector at the bottom of the iPod. In the case of the airport express, it is a round connector. There are two cables, one for analog, one for optical/digital. The different cables simply connect to different interfaces, that's all. The optical interface is probably dead center, and the analog is probably around it like a headphone jack.

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 02:47 am »

Picked up an Airport Express.
Good for background listening from my 900+ CDs at
192 MBps in my AAC-ripped library.

Plus, when my wife calls, I can turn the volume down from my computer!

It has an additional USB port as well. Hooked up a USB printer that my kids and I can use. In my office I can keep tabs on the ink level and make sure it's always ready for printing...

I forgot why Apple doesn't just rule the PC world...

biz

viggen · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 03:16 am »

because their software is proprietary or something like that...

i wonder how the express compares to something like an apogee mini-dac soundquality wise...

sleepkyng · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 03:35 am »

the signal from the airport express is bitperfect

so if you rip into apple lossless and use the bitperfect signal and feed it into a nice DAC, you have audiophile cd quality sound, plain and simple.

Lost81 · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 06:48 am »

Quote from: Mathew_M

It's not exactly a misprint either because the nomenclature appears several places. Technically it's impossible I would think to include both analog and optical with a single connection.

Hi Mathew,

I took a look at the device at the local Apple Store.
How Apple managed to pull this off is interesting.
It is indeed both analog and digital in a single port (but not the same connection).

The circumference of the inside of the port houses the electrical contacts for the analog output. Much deeper inside, dead center of the port (hole), lies the optical (digital) output.

The only problem I forsee is someone spraying contact cleaner in the port, and ruining the optical digital out lens.

Hope this helps.

-Lost81

orthobiz · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 09:33 pm »

Reading Sleepkyng's post:

Right now my Airport Express signal is going into an auxiliary jack on my preamp, so I assume the signal coming out is analog and the Express is acting as the DAC?

If I hooked up the Toslink connector, is that a digital signal that will let me hook the Express up to a DAC that will then plug into my preamp?

I'm OK with computers and OK with RCA jack stereos, but beyond that it's tough for me to understand.

Thanks for your help.

biz