Advice required on apple airport express and dacs

[lxd55]

Set up (high level) I have Sony DA5400ES av amp, with B&W 5.1 surround sound speakers that include 684's (front), M1's (rear). Currently in process of moving iTunes library onto a nas (buffalo linkstation duo). So it can be accessed by 1 desktop pc & 2 laptops. I'm considering adding an airport express to connect to the av amp so I can play iTunes (music) through the system. Couple of questions: 1, what type of interconnect cable should I use?? Recommendations for make(s)/model(s) appreciated 2, should I use a dac?? Something like Arcam rdac?? Or does the fact I'm using an av amp mean (musically) this might be a waste of money?? If the consensus is to use a dac, does this change recommendations to 1 above if I were to use the express standalone. Music tastes are across the board since all the family will listen to (if this influences any advice??) Advice and recommendations greatly appreciated

 

[iMark]

I would try in steps.

Get an Airport Express and connect it to the AV amp with on optical (Toslink) cable. You will need a little adapter for the Toslink cable to connect it to the Airport Express. (Mentioned in the forums many times). Here are examples of the cable and the adapter.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1-0m-Optical-TOSlink-Cable-Professional/dp/B0031WZCUC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1312621782&sr=8-10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00016W67I/ref=s9_bbs_gw_d0_ir01?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1RHNB86CXCGCFYJVP66K&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128473&pf_rd_i=468294

If you're happy with the sound from the DAC of your Sony amp don't bother getting an external DAC. If not, consider getting an external DAC later.

I don't think it's worth spending a fortune on cables. As long as the cable isn't broken it will transfer the signal.

 

[lxd55]

Thanks iMark for responding so quickly, will check the links

I'm keen for feedback from anyone who has a set up similar to mine and is able benchmark the improvement in sound quality by using an rDac or similar etc

 

[lxd55]

Any more takers for feedback? As stated keen to hear from members with similar set up for recommendation's.

 

[iMark]

Because we don't have a multi channel receiver with a DAC we got a CA DACmagic to connect the Airport Express to our stereo. Sound is very good with Apple Lossless files from iTunes, Spotify Premium through Airfoil etc. But if you're happy with the DAC in your Sony I wouldn't buy an external DAC. It should be quite a bit better than the DAC in the Airport Express.

 

[lxd55]

Thanks again iMark, will opt for the express initially and see how that sounds.