What Apple Airport do I need for Streaming Apple Music?

[MgP2804]

Volumio only supports AirPlay1. Try DietPi with Shairport it supports AirPlay2.

Volumio is using Shairport-Sync too to my knowledge. You can run Shairport-Sync in Airplay 2 mode too, if you want too. Take a look at the github pages...https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport-sync

 

[NiagaraPete]

Volumio is using Shairport-Sync too to my knowledge. You can run Shairport-Sync in Airplay 2 mode too, if you want too. Take a look at the github pages...https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport-sync

Last time I checked Volumio hadn't been updated but it could be now. For someone just wanting to stream Apple Music why install all that stuff? With Dietpi you can pick what audio programs to use or not. I have a NAS DLNA so I also use GMediaRenderer as well.

 

[MgP2804]

Last time I checked Volumio hadn't been updated but it could be now. For someone just wanting to stream Apple Music why install all that stuff? With Dietpi you can pick what audio programs to use or not. I have a NAS DLNA so I also use GMediaRenderer as well.

Well, Volumio is pretty nice for a lot of people, I think. It is less expensive than Roon too if you want to integrate eg. Qobuz or even free, if you do not need this. Just burn the image and you are set. Myself missing the HQPlayer integration. Dietpi myself still has to check. ++ https://github.com/volumio/shairport-sync

 

[NiagaraPete]

Well, Volumio is pretty nice for a lot of people, I think. It is less expensive than Roon too if you want to integrate eg. Qobuz or even free, if you do not need this. Just burn the image and you are set. Myself missing the HQPlayer integration. Dietpi myself still has to check. ++ https://github.com/volumio/shairport-sync

Agreed but OP just wanted to stream Apple Music which is why offered the KISS solution.

 

[telemike]

Airplay 1is lossless so that’s good for me

 

[Bazooka302]

I am using 2 of these streamers, with a similar form factor to the Belkin:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5B5YBD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Airplay 2 compatible but when using them synced, they work better using their streaming app. Individual zone and overall volume control and the streaming performance has been solid.

 

[flz]

I am using 2 of these streamers, with a similar form factor to the Belkin:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5B5YBD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Airplay 2 compatible but when using them synced, they work better using their streaming app. Individual zone and overall volume control and the streaming performance has been solid.

Interesting device. It claims to have a 2in1 analogue coax/digital optical out. How does one plug an optical cable into the thing (for connection to a DAC)? The company's website isn't working, seems like a startup?

 

[telemike]

Interesting device. It claims to have a 2in1 analogue coax/digital optical out. How does one plug an optical cable into the thing (for connection to a DAC)? The company's website isn't working, seems like a startup?

Probably 1/8” mini optical cable like Airport Express uses

 

[Bazooka302]

I'm only using the analogue out, but the port also accepts an optical plug of some sort. Never saw a dual port like that before but I guess it works. I think a cable like this is required:

https://www.amazon.com/FosPower-Tos...5&sprefix=optical+cable+adapter,aps,91&sr=8-9

 

[Cote Dazur]

A
As the original Apple Airport Express ever been tested/measured?
How good or bad is it?

 

[sfdoddsy]

A
As the original Apple Airport Express ever been tested/measured?
How good or bad is it?

 

[sfdoddsy]

No idea about the analog out, but the digital is essentially perfect.

I used the original AE for many years and still dig it out on occasion. I also have the later generation. I’ve not seen measurements anywhere, but know that it is bitperfect because I was able to stream DTS 5.1 Music tracks via the optical out.

Another sadly abandoned attempt at surround music, DTS Music was a mildly compressed 5.1 surround format that can only be decoded if the stream is bitperfect.

The earlier Apple TVs with optical output are much easier to use than Airport Expresses, but convert everything to 48k.

Whether this is audible for most music is debatable, but for DTS it is. You just get hiss.

So if the job of a music streamer is to simply deliver bits to a DAC without changing them, the ancient AE does.

As far as I know, no other current Apple product (aside from the Mac Mini via USB) leaves standard digital untouched.

 

[Cote Dazur]

I found complete testing of the Airport Express gen 1 an gen 2. Here

 

[Jazz]

A
As the original Apple Airport Express ever been tested/measured?
How good or bad is it?

These fail. Avoid. Get the counter top Express v2. Has decent AKM DAC too for when using 3.5 AUX. You can revert to older Airplay 1 firmware with v2 too. If you must.