Apple Express Fan

Could any one shortly discribe the differense between these different kinds of products? DAC / ADC/ Power Amp/ Pre Amp? If i want to amplify an AE and need no extra controls (like volume, equlizer etc. ) what should I use? Thanks!

I have already considerd and discarded Sonos system for a couple of reasons. 1. Sonos system makes you locked to their own development. I have heard several issues with late implementing of new versions of i.e. Spotify. With Apple (although Apple needs to approve apps. etc.) the different companies do their own development for their own products which mean faster and better access to features! The connection from Sonos and that they integrate the different softwares to the same GUI is nice and clever, BUT you loose quite alot of features i.e. Apple TV funcition which also gets integrated. Also with Apple I get the opportunity to use AppleTV in the rooms with a TV. The TV surround system can then also be used for TV or same music as the rest of the speakers in the house. 2. Price! Sonos system will cost me way more! Conclusion: With Sonos system: It will cost more, I will get less and I will get it later than with Apple! Agree or disagree? Sincerely, Karl

Quality answers and several good ideas! Best forum i have visited for a looooooong time! Thanks you everybody and PLEASE don't stop! I do need more feedback ;-) ! Sincerely, Karl

The question is how much do you loose in quality with long speaker cables? Firestone might be an option! Thanks!

I like the idea of leeding the cabels to the same area and having all equipment there! But how much do you really loose in quality with long cables? Does you have any recommendations? Thanks!

I expect different music in different rooms, that is the reason for several AE. But i can absolutely see you point with optical beeing overkill! The rooms that I want this solution for won't be use for super high volume but I am still planing on getting 150-300$/pair worth speakers to get a ok sounding system. I thought that since the AE has optical output it would be crazy to loose extra quality. How much quality do you really loose with long cables? Are there any limits in distans? Thanks!

The plan was to use it as a zone player and as I understand it it works just as well with AE, no? What do I gain with connecting them with cat5? Wall-mounted Zeppelin will be an option! Thanks!!

I am currently builing a house and hope for some help for you guys and girls. I want to install 2 ceiling mounted speakers in 4 rooms, I will use only Apple products as source and 4 Apple Express (AE) to create a multiroom solution. (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB321LL/A/AirPort-Express-AirTunes?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mco=MTA4NTc4MTE) I don't want to use active speakers since the once of quality are very expensive and there are few to chooce from. I don´t want huge amplifiers in each room either, instead I want to hide the AE and amplifier inside the ceiling. Since i won't be able to get to them easily it will be importent that the amplifier has some kind of automatic sleep mode when not in use. I will put them all on the same powercabel so that I can flick a fuce to reset them all. The reason for using Apple as backbone is because of their fast updates and many new features. All other systems tend to go out of date quickly and cumbersome to update. New music apps and great feature are constantly coming from many companies to Iphone, Ipad etc. My question: 1. Can you recommend any amplifiers with the following features: Small, 100-300$ price range, auto sleep mode, preferably optical input, which is suitable to hide in ceiling and with good sound quality. I don't care what it looks like, it doesn't need any cool buttons or feature i only want it to boost the signal for my speakers! 2. What do you think of my general setup, do you have a better idea? Would you go for active ceiling speakers instead? Any recommendations? Thanks for all your help! Sincerely, Karl the Apple Express Fan