[EDS_]

iphone remote, Mac, Airplay, several Airport Expresses (I think I'd need to switch to an Apple Airport Extreme as my "main" router too, super simple/cheap DACs*, powered speakers.  I should be able to control the volume per zone with my iPhone - True or False?

Thoughts?

*Is the analog out of the AE so terrible that a DAC is needed for casual listening?
*If so are there any cheap optical in DACs that are small as well?  Musical Fidelity V-DAC maybe - anything cheaper?
*I'm thinking about Audio Engine powered speakers. The A5 @ $349 and the A2 at $199 look like deals.  Anyone heard these?  Any other powered speakers that make sense?

Thanks.

[Crimson]

 I should be able to control the volume per zone with my iPhone - True or False?
-False. If you run multiple zones simultaneously, the volume control will affect all zones.

*Is the analog out of the AE so terrible that a DAC is needed for casual listening?
-Not at all.

*If so are there any cheap optical in DACs that are small as well?  Musical Fidelity V-DAC maybe - anything cheaper?
-I'll let someone else help here.

*I'm thinking about Audio Engine powered speakers. The A5 @ $349 and the A2 at $199 look like deals.  Anyone heard these?  Any other powered speakers that make sense?
-I have pair of the A2s. Absolutely amazing for the size.

[Crimson]

PS: Here's a good article on distributed audio using AirTunes.
 

 

[low.pfile]

EDS_
As simple as Airplay/Airport Express is to set up and to use, it's not without its issues. I just want to pass on that your success will depend on how clean the "Air" is--it's wireless so it comes with all the related interference problems.  Some environments have no issue, others have lots. My first wireless system was Airport Express Base Station and couple of Expresses (Toslink) which experienced dropouts--just annoying. Sources of the interference can vary. Lots of threads on the net about that.

iPhone Remote and iTunes will NOW control the volume for each zone independently << THANKS srb for reminding me of the change after one of the recent updates! I obviously haven't been using it much 

The AE analog out is fine for background music. I use that for garage/patio occasionally.

[srb]

I should be able to control the volume per zone with my iPhone - True or False?

True.  I have three Airport Express and control their volume all individually, either through the Multiple Speakers dialog on the computer or the AirPlay window in the Remote application on my iPod Touch.  There is also a Master volume control to control them simultaneously.
 

Is the analog out of the AE so terrible that a DAC is needed for casual listening?

I use all three for casual listening from the AE analog outputs.  Two of them are into powered speakers, one into similarly sized (to the Audioengine A5) Kanto iPair 5 and the other as mono into a single Yamaha MSP3 powered monitor.  If one of the zones became more critical than casual, I might add a DAC, but for now I am happy with the sound.
 
Steve

[EDS_]

Thanks guys good stuff.

[EDS_]

Finally got through to Apple today. 

Number of AEs and likely success assuming one Airport Extreme in my 4,000f^2 house......
1 AE - will work
2 AEs - will work
3 AEs - will most likely work very well
4 AEs - will work but with some difficulty
5 AEs -  guaranteed difficulties
6 AEs - won't work 

Apparently too many routers in a given area causes dropouts and shutdowns. 

[WC]

Is that AEs operating? Or just connected in the system?

[EDS_]

Is that AEs operating? Or just connected in the system?

Dunno,
Operating I guess.

[SLC]

I use a V-Dac with my AE. There was an obvious improvement in sound quality with this DAC. Sounds really good, no need to spend more.