[jaspersf]

I am currently using Apple Airport Express w/ Airtunes, but as my audio system improves (especially near future purchase of Bryston DAC), I am looking for the absolute best way to do this. I have one laptop computer, but 4 different audio systems; 2 are hi-fi and 2 are vintage lo/mid-fi). My understanding is that the AE units, as cheap and convenient as they are- are very prone to jitter and are limited to 16/44. I've been using Airtunes for 10 years now- it's great, but there must be a newer/better way, right?

Thanks!

J

[wilsynet]

For best sound quality, connecting the computer to the DAC directly, using USB (async) or FireWire is best.  Remote control can be done with iPhone or iPad using the various remote control apps that vary by platform (Mac versus PC).

Having said that, if whole house distribution is desired, a convenient, out-of-the-box ready and higher quality alternative to the Airport Express is the Sonos system.

There used to also exist Squeezebox and Bolder cable does mods for them, but Logitech has killed the Squeezebox product line.

Finally, if you want to continue using the Airport Express and just want to eliminate jitter, Empirical Audio has (in my opinion) the very highest quality reclockers.  But the BDA-1 could very well have good de-jittering performance, so I'd wait to get the BDA-1 before taking an Empirical Audio Synchro Mesh for a trial.

What are you using now for a DAC?  Or are you using the analog out of he Airport Express?

[jaspersf]

In my best quality system, I have a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 DAC.

I've been talking to different DAC manufacturers (including PS AUDIO and BERKELEY) trying to understand what I need to do to optimize sound quality from my computer- some say that using the high jitter wireless airport express (or similar wireless solutions) is not a problem as a high quality dac will "reclock" the signal and make it "perfect" again. however, some say that the jitter can be reclocked but other vestiges of noise/distortion (sideband pollution is what one engineer called it) caused by jitter cannot be eliminated and therefore the sound quality is compromised. I want the best sound quality and am willing to give up the incredible convenience of wireless to gain it if it's truly discernible- but i'm not clear if it is necessary to forego wireless and if so- what is the best wired alternative. The anti-jitter folks seem to agree that USB with a properly designed interface (i.e. Berkeley Alpha USB) is the very best method (but most expensive).