Airport Express advice.

[admin_exported]

Sorry if any of my questions have been asked before, I have searched the forums but I could not find any complete answers.

I am planning to buy an AE to wirelessly stream music to my Cambridge Audio 540a amplifier and Kef iQ5 se speakers.

I currently play my digital music through an iPod but because it is only 4GB and I like to listen to my music losslessly I am forever syncing it with my Mac in order to change the music.

My worry is how the AE will sound. My amp does not have an optical input so I will be relying on the analogue output of the AE.

Any advice?

 

[professorhat]

Considering the AE unit is £65, the sound is actually very impressive. However, you obviously need to apply that statement to your current listening situation. You have a pretty good amplifier and speaker setup, so I'm guessing you're not foreign to the old music listening scenario.

I think the best news on this is, you can actually spend £65 on the AE unit and see what you think. Then, you can decide where you go from there. At worst, you've purchased something which makes the music during parties etc. in your place a hell of a lot easier (and it hasn't cost you a great deal of money). At best, you'll find, fed with a lossless source, it actually sounds pretty good. And from what I've read, with further investment in an external DAC, it can actually sound nigh on brilliant.

 

[Anonymous]

What external DAC would you recommend?

 

[professorhat]

I haven't actually got one myself, but there is a wealth of DAC knowledge here so I'll let others advise!

 

[professorhat]

Since said people seem to be a bit shy at the moment, here's some reviews to keep you busy in the meantime

:

Beresford TC-7510

Cambridge Audio DacMagic

Chord Electronics Chordette Gem

Chord Electronics QBD76

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Would it be possible to use an internal DAC of a cd player?

 

[Anonymous]

Only if the CD player allows that option, and not that many do.

The Harman Kardon HD 970, for example, does. The one I had didn't really impress, though, so you're probably better off with a separate DAC.

I'd add the Musical Fidelity v-dac to the list above.

 

[Anonymous]

O.k. thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the DACMagic with the 540A V2 of which my music is sourced from a MacBook Pro using an Airport Express and the difference between the DAC and Onkyo iPod dock I used before is night and day. *Takes a breath

 

[fatboyslimfast]

I use my AE with the Beresford DAC, and it sounds sublime...