redsf

Hmmm... I've done a bunch of reading and searching through the apple support site, but couldn't figure out how to change the channel on my aiport express first generation 802.11g It is currently set up as a client since I already have wireless. Now I think that is the problem. In the apple support communities and think I found my problem is that when you set the express to join your network it only goes to channel 11. It needs to be a base station. I already have a wireless network in my apt and don't want my express tethered to the router/modem with an ethernet cable. Can I have my current wireless and setup the express as another way onto the network? Set up like a base station? Thanks! (I think this is now irrelevant, but this was what was driving me crazy when I kept looking to change the channel. Here's what I was doing: 1- open up airport utility 2- click on my airport express 3- click on manual set up 4- I see a bunch of info, including channel. it reads 11, I can't option click and get anywhere productive. If I just click on the channel letters it takes me to the wireless screen, just as if I do step 5. 5- I click on the wireless button at top where there are 3 options (those options are: summary - base station - wireless.) 6- on this wireless section there is no where to change the channel only info about my sbcyahoo internet network.

This is making more and more sense, though at times it does seem to get more confusing. A) It sounds like I'll stick with the airport express and buy a DAC. The matrix mini looks good and I'd connect it to my preamp. A minitoslink would connect the airport and the DAC (correct me if I'm wrong). B) If I add a jitter device... I couldn't find a theta tlc for sale. Should I see how I like the sound before putting money on a jitter device (monarchy DIP classic looks about 250)? It seems odd that you can't get one box to handle the jitter and the digital to audio conversion. C) Concerning the airport express dropping the signal occasionally. I read the article alluded to above and followed the directions. (which ended up in me having to do several hardware resets as the express kept crashing and the computer would lose the connection as I reconfigured.) However, I couldn't get any access to changing the channel on my airport express. Any ideas? Thanks again! TR

Wow, so much good info. Let me try to organize these possibilities. First, I have an older imac (4.5yrs running 10.6) about 20 linear feet away. I'd have to use 20-30' of cable. I was originally hoping to replace it and spend up to $500-600 on a DAC and cables and be set... but things are never that simple. Should I... 1) ignore the airport express and buy a mac mini or DAC? To clarify, I don't have a DAC now. Just an old airport express (3 yrs old?). Mac mini would be run headless at the stereo (a cable with a mini-toslink at one end in the mini and RCA jacks at the other?). The stereo pre and poweramp are 20yr old Parasounds. DAC would have to be connected somehow to the computer 20' away. 2) Use the airport express. i have issues with the airport dropping the signal (I assume it is the airport and not my computer or home network). This seems to be addressed above, I'll do some experimenting- thank you Mister Wednesday. With the airport would I use a DAC? I would no longer get a digital output straight to the DAC and isn't that the point? 3) a squeezebox (this is new to me) would be plugged into my stereo, access my music files wirelessly then work as both a controller and DAC converting the files from the computer to an analog output. Sounds ideal, but is the DAC quality seriously compromised compared to running the mac mini/DAC combo? Thanks again everyone, TR

I talked to someone at crutchfield. He could sell me a high quality 20' rca, couple it to another 6' piece and he believed that I wouldn't loose quality. Sound reasonable? The USB booster would be $350, though cool to see it out there. I'm thinking of buying the peachtree DAC'It and running the RCA from there. A headless mac mini at the stereo would be ideal, but not in the budget. Thanks again, looking through this forum has been super helpful. TR

I had never committed to putting my CDs onto my imac because I was never impressed with the quality to my airport express. The sound quality does not match the CD player and worse it drops the connection regularly. However, I've been reading and learned I could solve the quality issue with a DAC converter and uploading with a lossless format. However, I'm wondering about strategies of getting the music from my computer to the stereo, about 25 feet as I'd send a cable. Should the DAC be at the desk with my imac and can I get a 25' RCA (?) cable to the pre amp? Is there a wireless strategy that will preserve quality and be reliable? (Another question that occurs to me is if I'd really be ready to give up my tuner and CD player, do folks run directly into a power amp using their itunes as a type of pre-amp?) Thanks! TR