airport express with spotify via dacmagic

[admin_exported]

hi guys

just bought an airport express to work with spotify via a dacmagic.

my question is how easy is it to setup and can i use a toslink optical lead or do i need a special apple one.

i understand that these questions keep coming up but I'm new to wireless music so please be kind

regards 80s boy

 

[John Duncan]

Yep, it's how I started. I found that it's easier to set up the airport express wired (though I read yesterday that there's a 'Configure over WLAN option!), and then unplug it from the network to make ti wireless. Other than that should be straightforward.

The AE has a mini-toslink optical out, so you need an optical cable that has a mini toslink socket on one end, or an adapter like this to go on the end of a normal optical cable:

 

[Anonymous]

john

thanks for your help just a few more questions if you don't mind.

hopefully it will be delivered tomorrow

are you using Airfoil as the application between ae and the pc? and how easy is it to setup.

plus im going to use my netbook so will not have any cd drive to setup ae using the supplied cd will this be an issue.

regards 80s boy

 

[Anonymous]

The whole process is dead easy, just follow the instructions in the manual. Took me about 15mins to get Spotify going. Configure the AEX to use your existing wireless network; you just need the Sid and password. No network cable required.

 

[Anonymous]

Airfoil just works. The only config is to buy a licence key to enter into the app. Software as it should be. Simple.

 

[iMark]

If you can't use the CD you can download the Airport Utility, which you need to set up the AE, here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL954. You need version 5.5.2.

Your AE will probably come with an older version of the firmware. Only the latest firmware (7.5.2) solves a known issue with the optical out. This is particularly important when it comes to using Airfoil. The older firmware works for iTunes/AirTunes.

When you set up your AE you will probably be prompted to do the firmware update. If you don't do it immediately you will get dropouts over the optical when using Airfoil.

A last piece of advice: joining an existing network will work on most configurations. My home network uses MAC Access Control so I had to register the MAC-address of the AE before it could join the existing WiFi network.

The combination of AE/Airfoil/Spofify/DACMagic works great. I think you will like it. It gets even better if you have an iOS device and you subscribe to Spotify Premium. You can stream Spotify directly to your AE without the use of Airfoil.

 

[John Duncan]

igglebert:Airfoil just works. The only config is to buy a licence key to enter into the app. Software as it should be. Simple.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your help guys

AE is all set-up, upgraded spotify to premium and downloaded airfoil & downloaded the latest firmware as suggested.

sounds great i decided to use my ichord instead of optical via dacmagic as there was sound dropouts despite the firmware upgrade.

just been listening to bjork wow she sounds good

but to be honest i couldn't tell any difference sound wise between optical and the ichord.

the only other slight niggle i have is i was hoping to still surf the net at the same time as listening to spotify but the sound just breaks up to much i guess thats down to my net book not being able to cope with to many programs running at the same time.unless I'm doing something wrong?

anyways thanks guys for your help

regards 80's boy

 

[Anonymous]

The drop out sounds like it's down to your bandwidth. Turn off the high bitrate option in the Spotify preferences to see if it helps.

 

[iMark]

There's a couple of things you could test.

1. Try playing iTunes instead of Airfoil/Spotify and check to see if you have dropouts.

2. If you have dropouts, it's a networking problem. I would suggest to set your network to a different channel.

You can change the channel in your router settings. I have a little tool to see which networks in my area use which channel. Try to find a channel that is not used by any other network. My computer can see another 18 WiFi networks in the area so there is bound to interference.

 

[Anonymous]

@80's Boy - are u a Mac user?

Cos if ur a windows/linux with dlna - AE is not needed

 

[Anonymous]

well guys have tried all your suggestions but to no avail also Ive discovered that even if i scroll down a page even in spotify it starts to break up so Ive come to the conclusion that my net-book just isn't up to the job(been looking for an excuse for a new laptop) , so Ive ordered a new laptop fingers crossed this will solve the issue, now my question is can i use airfoil with the same cert number on my new laptop or will i need to purchase a new one and can i transfer my spotify will all my saved albums on?

regards 80's boy

 

[Anonymous]

Techmad

I'm using windows, i have to say Ive never heard of dlna but will google it and check it out,but as Ive just purchased AE I'm inclined to use it.

but your help is always welcome

regards 80's boy

 

[professorhat]

80s boy:now my question is can i use airfoil with the same cert number on my new laptop or will i need to purchase a new one

No issue here, the Airfoil license is user based, not machine based. So as long as it's only you using it, you can have Airfoil installed on both laptops with the same license key. If there's more than one user, you should get the Family Pack license - see here.

Not sure on the Spotify question - should be someone else here who uses it more than I who can answer.

 

[Anonymous]

80s boy:
well guys have tried all your suggestions but to no avail also Ive discovered that even if i scroll down a page even in spotify it starts to break up so Ive come to the conclusion that my net-book just isn't up to the job(been looking for an excuse for a new laptop) , so Ive ordered a new laptop fingers crossed this will solve the issue, now my question is can i use airfoil with the same cert number on my new laptop or will i need to purchase a new one and can i transfer my spotify will all my saved albums on?

regards 80's boy

when you download spotify onto your new laptop and login, then you have access to everything just as before. but. im pretty sure that any playlists that you had available for "offline" use will need to be saved/downloaded again for offline use.

yes you can use airfoil on your new laptop with the same cert..

 

[iMark]

Have you tried the TuneIn Radio App yet? Works really well with Airplay.

 

[Anonymous]

@80's Boy - are u a Mac user?

Cos if ur a windows/linux with dlna - AE is not needed

I'm sorry... what do you mean by this?