View Full Version : Apple AirPort Express Audio Performance
I've not seen this before, and while I don't understand some of the measurements taken, the overall impression is that the Airport Express is a very worthwhile and convenient device.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/airport-express-audio-quality-2014.htm
there's even a mod if you're up to it and some more information here. The APEX is a very nice little device IMHO.
https://hifiduino.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/apple-airport-express-usb-audio-output-mod/
StanleyB
21-01-2016, 16:45
As far as I am concerned it is a pile of dung.
yeah, you would say that. Maybe it's just your DAC that doesn't work with it ?
walpurgis
21-01-2016, 16:55
Steady there chaps. Keep it friendly. :)
The title tells you everything you need to know about what this thread is about.
StanleyB
21-01-2016, 21:54
yeah, you would say that. Maybe it's just your DAC that doesn't work with it ?
I'll ignore your reference to a product of mine and your slur. I am only concerned about the technical ability of the AE, which is what the thread is about.
For a device that can only handle up to 16bit/48kHz, it has a very limited appeal. You can get a Pi to do better than that for the same price. The seriously minded music listener tends to also prefer 24Bit files, and primarily in 96 and 192 kHz format. That leaves the AE well short of being a serious wireless audio connection in this day and age.
PaulStewart
21-01-2016, 22:20
As far as I am concerned it is a pile of dung.
I'll ignore your reference to a product of mine and your slur. I am only concerned about the technical ability of the AE, which is what the thread is about.
For a device that can only handle up to 16bit/48kHz, it has a very limited appeal. You can get a Pi to do better than that for the same price. The seriously minded music listener tends to also prefer 24Bit files, and primarily in 96 and 192 kHz format. That leaves the AE well short of being a serious wireless audio connection in this day and age.
Perhaps if you had said that in the first place Stan and not the top quote here, you would not have irked those of us who use Apple products. As it happens, I agree the AE as it stands is past it's sell by date and I look forward to the next, high res offering from Cupertino.
Cheers
I listen to standard 'redbook' cd format and I'm an avid music listener. Not a serious one, obviously, but I enjoy it in my own silly way.
StanleyB
21-01-2016, 23:15
Perhaps if you had said that in the first place Stan and not the top quote here, you would not have irked those of us who use Apple products.
Thanks for the input Paul. But I have no time for posters who have nothing to add to a thread, other than to attack someone else who posted their opinion. I go back to a not dissimilar situation many years ago when Marco and Eddy Spaghetti found themselves banned together with me from a forum after an altercation resulting from a few forum members taking it upon themselves to attack me, rather than comment on the question the OP had made. As Marco could tell you, I can get extremely difficult when provoked. But I keep taking my medication :).
As far as I am concerned it is a pile of dung.
I'll ignore your reference to a product of mine and your slur. I am only concerned about the technical ability of the AE, which is what the thread is about.
For a device that can only handle up to 16bit/48kHz, it has a very limited appeal. You can get a Pi to do better than that for the same price. The seriously minded music listener tends to also prefer 24Bit files, and primarily in 96 and 192 kHz format. That leaves the AE well short of being a serious wireless audio connection in this day and age.
Your second comment is addressing the technical aspect of the APex. In your first comment you slashed the device as a pile of dung which it isn't. ;)
ASAIKS it is the streaming protocol "Airplay" which is limited to 16/41 .. so, If you like the convenience and ease of use of Airplay (which I do) then the "trade-off" is that all music is streamed at 16bit/41k Hz ... same goes when using a Pi + Airplay. But the sq is still very acceptable IMO as long as the sound files are of good quality.
Airport Express measurements here (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/466-measurements-first-and-second-generation-apple-airport-express/)
Thanks for the input Paul. But I have no time for posters who have nothing to add to a thread, other than to attack someone else who posted their opinion. I go back to a not dissimilar situation many years ago when Marco and Eddy Spaghetti found themselves banned together with me from a forum
Wait: Marco got banned from a forum? How could that possibly happen?
StanleyB
25-01-2016, 12:15
Wait: Marco got banned from a forum? How could that possibly happen?
Marco stood up for me when it mattered, and paid the price for his effort. But every cloud has a silver lining. All that palaver ended up resulting in Marco running AoS in the end.
Audio Advent
28-01-2016, 02:13
Marco stood up for me when it mattered, and paid the price for his effort. But every cloud has a silver lining. All that palaver ended up resulting in Marco running AoS in the end.
Remind me again.. which is the cloud and which the ... ? ;)
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