The best way to connect a HiFi amplifier to an Airport express/Apple TV

[manufelices]

Hi everyone! I need some help. I would like to listen to my ALAC songs (from itunes) using a wifi net and an Airport express/ Apple TV. At the moment, is not a problem because I can connect my Marantz SR5007 via ethernet to the Airport, but I am thinking about buying a Hifi amplifer without ethernet. So, the questions is, which of these combinations can give me more quality?:

1. Airpor express - mini 3,5/Toslink - Hifi amplifier

2. Apple TV - HDMI - Hifi amplifier

Thanks a lot!!

 

[Paul.]

Apple TV upsamples everything (I believe to 48 khz) wheras the Airport leaves the signal unmolested. In theory the Airport should sound better, but in reality there is probably nothing in it. I have an ATV3, Airplay on my sr7007 which I dont think upsamples, DLNA as well as plex on my Chromecast, and they all sound the same to me.