Noise on optical output from Airport Express

I have an almost new Airport Express (actually as an extension of my old AE) which I use for streaming music to my HiFi. At first I used the analogue output for my amplifier, without any problem. But now I have installed a HiFi D/A converter (Rega) and started using the optical output from my AE. It plays fine, but now and then (like 2-3 times per track) there is a noise appearing, like a pulse of 3-6 beats. Could be external noise, but it is only there when I play music. Anyone have any idea ??

Hi, nice to know I am not the only one with this problem (did not log on for a while...)
The problem is also that one doesn't really know which part to blame. I guess anywhere you go with your problem they would say it is something else. And the guys in the Apple store don't have knowledge at this level, they are just trained to sell.
I am sorry to hear that you had to give up and return to the analogue input. Which means that you are using the D/A converter built into the Airport.
Are you saying that you were using the digital output from your old Airport into your Rega DAC without any problem ? If you feel sure about that it must be the new type of Airport that has a problem.

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Limit Audio Output from AirPort Express

I have active loudspeakers (B&O) that I'd like to drive with the airport express station. As I can not adjust the volume of the loudspeakers, I'd like to know, whether there is a possibility to regulate the output of the audio signal within the express station, rather then iTunes. Why?
a) I have connected my loudspeakers to express and it worked all too well, at 24:00h, my neighbors where really happy, as all 70 watts started.
b) the volume control of iTunes is not good enough to really control the output (its nearly zero or full power).
c) I want to be flexible with my macbook and not necessarily sitting at my desk.

Hi TD,
What I've done with my similar set up like yours is that I've added on a Grace Design m902 unit in between the Airport Express and the active speakers. The Grace unit also comes with an optional remote control which then allows me to adjust the levels without having to touch iTunes.
You can have a look at the unit HERE..
Otherwise, you can look at other cheaper pre-amp alternatives. The reason I liked the Grace Design unit is that it allows me to also send a USB out direct into the unit from my computer if needed. Good luck!!
Black MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2GB RAM

Analogue output from airport express

Is there something odd about the output in analogue?
I have two analogue inputs I use on my home stereo. From the airport and from Sky. To save me switching cables all the time, I bought an analogue hub.
Sky works fine, it doesn't like the airport. Sky will work in any of the 3 inputs but airport will work in none of them. Oddly, as I change channels from input 1 to 2, there is a fleeting hearing of the airport output. Direct connection to the stereo Works fine.
This is all a bit odd to me but perhaps I am being really dim. Any thoughts?

If you temporarily connect a pair of stereo headphones to the audio port of the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) does the audio quality appear to be normal? If so, then the AXn is not the issue and it could be the cables, the analog hub, or the stereo.

Cable for digital output on airport express?

what cable do I need to use the digital optical output on airport express? Can I use it to feed a DAC upsampling converter such as the DACMAgic? Thanks

Hello
I have just set up this as described.
I've noticed though that on the Dacmagic, the incoming sample rate, when connected via the Mini Toslink adapter to a Airport express is 44.1 - where as if I connect the Dacmagic directly to my Mac via USB, it jumps to 96.
Why is that and is it likely to affect the sound quality? Haven't had a chance to do a side by side comparison yet.
Andrew

Sound output to Airport Express horrible except through iTunes Airplay

I've had an Airport Express for 2 or so months now, and I use it for both wifi routing as well as its Airplay functionality, wired into my stereo. I've used it with Airplay directly from iTunes as well as setting the system sound output on my Mac to go over to the Airport Express.
As of today, only the Airplay over iTunes works without issue. When I go to the system sound preferences and select the Airport Express, I hear a very loud pop, and all output is muffled and highly distorted. If iTunes is playing, that sounds bad too. However, with the system sound prefs set to internal speakers and ONLY iTunes set to Airplay, it sounds fine. This is not good at all for me, as I often send audio from Youtube and other streaming sites to Airport Express to play on my stereo.
How can I get sound output to Airport Express from the sound preferences to play nice again?
PS, I have the identical issue with Apple TV, though I don't use it regularly for Airplay. System output to Apple TV is terrible, iTunes Airplay to it is fine, and the audio from content on Apple TV is fine.

Is there any way to output any sound from a computer to Airport Express, not just iTunes?
Yes, check out Rogue Amoeba's AirFoil.

Audio from Airport Express

Someone told me they thought the new Airport Express has a fiber optic toss link audio jack as opposed to the standard audio jack for better sound quality. Any truth to this? Doesn't look like if on the apple store website but thought maybe I'm missing something.
The old jack just doesn't offer good sound quality like fiber optic.
Thanks

The AirPort Express (AX) has always had an optical audio output as well as an analog output.
www.apple.com/airportexpress/specs.html states "3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound".

I cant go on youtube with the wifi from airport express, its alway show that the webpage not found so I try to connect the lan to my mac ,its work. Anyone know why amd how to fix it. (only youtube and google doesnt work)

Is this an airport express problem?? Only Youtube and google doesnt work. Its not work only on wifi from airport express. I really have no idea about technical problem.

After the last upgrade, my itunes doesn't open (this happen only the first time after the start of my pc). It seems frozen.To re-open Itunes i need to terminate APS deamon every time from task manager.
What is Apple doing to solve this problema? Thank you.

How to print from airport express?

I bought HP deskjet F2100 printer and i tried to plug into my airport express for printing and from my acer laptop(WinXP) i could setup according to the manuals of airport express and i could make wireless prit but when i tried to print from my macbook(OS X 10.4) i couldnt print even though i follow the manual book from airport express, i get "unable to connect to printer". i could see that HP Deskjet F2100 in my printer setup utility and i could see in the box browser- HP DeskjetF2100 and in connection is bonjour, but still i couldnt print.I have airport express software in both of my laptop and from acer i could print wirelessly but from macbook i couldnt. And in both laptop i could connect internet wirelessly but i couldnt print wirelessly. i dont understand how come both apple product macbook and airport express are not compatible..
i would be very thankful if someone could help me............

The HP Mac drivers are incompatible with wireless printing.
Use the process outlined here:
HP Printers (and others) not on compatibility list and Airport Extreme Printing
http://tech.ifelix.net/1300.html
Using the Gimp-Print drivers for the HP PhotoSmart P1000 printer.
iFelix

Clicking sound originating from Airport Express firmware 7.5.2 and later

Hello,
I have submitted a bug report through Apple Developer Connection (I am a registered developer). By posting this here I want to get support for our case: Make Apple fix the Airport Express firmware.
Summary:
The Airport Express device has a bug which appeared first in version 7.5.2. It produces a "clicking" sound when using AirPlay to transport music from an iPhone or a Mac, when certain frequencies are being played. This is not depending on the attached amplifier or headphones, digital or analog output, network settings (network created by Airport Express or not), Mac or iPhone used, audio cable or power supply involved or due to bad quality of the sound file played. The problems are not there when audio is played directly from a Mac or an iPhone through headphones or optical out. We and my colleagues (developers and audophiles) have ruled out all the other options. The problem boils down to a change in the Airports firmware starting with 7.5.2. In 7.4.2 the clicking sound is not there.
Steps to Reproduce:
Play the following song via AirPlay on an Airport Express device having firmware 7.5.2 or higher. The Airport Express being used in our tests is the model produced from March 2008 – June 2012. Attach high fidelity headphones (like Bowers & Wilkins P5, which we used) to Airport Express. Alternatively use a very good amplifier/loundspeaker setup. We also reproduced the bug for example on an Onkyo A-9070 amplifier with both optical and analog connection - there is no difference there. The loudspeakers we used are passive Dynaudio X12.
Play track no. 6 from the "Songs without words" album: http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/lieder-ohne-worte-op.-67-no.-2/id209380163?i=20 9381206
Listen to this solo piano piece carefully for at least 40 seconds. You will notice a clicking sound with high frequencies. This clicking is *not* there in firmwares 7.4.2 and earlier.
Expected Results:
Perfect audio quality as in firmware 7.4.2 and earlier.
Actual Results:
Reproducible clicking sounds in high frequencies.
Regression:
This problem appeared first in Airport Express firmware 7.5.2 and has not been fixed yet. It can also be observed in the current version of Apple TV (as of September 16th).
Notes:
This issue, while not being recognized by the casual listener, makes AirPlay unusable for critical listening - at least when using any firmware after 7.4.2. I would love to use the current firmware (which produces a much more stable connection), but I (and other audiophile AIrplay users) would love to see this issue fixed first.
Here is a thread that concludes - as we did - that Airport firmware 7.5.2 and later is the source of the problem. It is not the hardware, neither Apple's, nor the connected devices:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17296916#17296916
Hope this helps!
Best,
Gabriel

I'm having the exact same problem. As a classical music lover, this is driving me nuts. It's especially noticable in soft passages in the music, when the volume is turned up high. When the dynamics increase, the little pops/clicks appear (they sound a bit like static noise, as someone stated earlier in this thread). It happens at irregular intervals. When you play pop music, the clicks will disappear (drown) in the music. But for true audiophiles who listen mainly to jazz and classical music this is a severe problem.
I have checked everything and it's definitely an airplay issue. My apple lossless files are 100% okay and play without any problem, except when streamed via airplay. Also, it makes no difference whether you use the analogue or the optical ouptut from the airport express.
I've created a sine frequency sweep myself in Adobe Audition, from 20 Hz up to 20000 Hz with a duration of 25 seconds and a level of -6 dB.
When played through airplay, the clicks always start to appear after 4 seconds in the sweep, only to disappear at 23 seconds.
The clicks manifest themselves at different volume levels. To my ears, they make the same sound as when you change the volume in iTunes when streaming music through airplay. Only when you set the volume in iTunes extremely low, the clicks will disappear.
Apple engineers should use a frequency sweep to recreate the problem, as this is very revealing.
PS: file format isn't an issue here. I've converted the Apple Lossless file to MP3, and it makes no difference at all.

HT5783 My MacBook Pro (Mid-2009) digital output has stopped working. It turns on the red light at the other side of the plug, but fails to connect with my receiver. Output from Airport works fine.

It was working fine until now, and now suddenly, the sound is gone. I've tried PRAM and SMC reset. Nothing works.
Using the same cable with my airport express, through airplay, the sound comes out fine.
It wasn't working when on Mavericks, nor now, on Yosemite.

Hey marcalc,
Thanks for the question. I understand that you are experiencing issues with the digital output of your MacBook Pro. The following resource may provide a solution:
OS X Mavericks: If you can’t hear sound from your speakers
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13841
If you’re trying to listen through a digital receiver
If you’re using your computer’s digital output port (not available on all computers), choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Output. Make sure Digital Output is selected.
Make sure your computer is connected to a digital-ready receiver using an optical digital cable, and that your receiver is set up for digital input (see the information that came with your receiver).
Try adjusting the volume on your receiver. You can’t use the computer’s volume controls to adjust the volume while using digital output.
Thanks,
Matt M.

Usb audio out from airport express

Hi,
If I want to put a DAC with USB input between Airport Express and my stereo, will I be able to do so? I'm thinking about using the NuForce Icon-2 DAC. So Itunes>>Airport Express>>NuForce DAC>>stereo receiver.
Thanks in advance,
Dave

Sorry, but no.
You will have to use the optical audio output on the AirPort Express if you want a digital out.
The USB port will only support a compatible printer.

Wi-Fi Car Audio from Airport Express

Rockford Fosgate makes a car stereo with a 20GB hard drive that you can upload songs to while your car sits in your garage. No toting your ipod around.
The bummer is that it doesn't appear to be mac compatible. Anybody know of a product for mac that can do what this does?
http://usatoday.jiwire.com/rockford-omnifi-dmp1-compare-prices.htm

The AirPort Express (AX) has always had an optical audio output as well as an analog output.
www.apple.com/airportexpress/specs.html states "3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound".

Stuttering audio from airport express...

I installed my first airport express yesterday. Had some problems: my main computer couldn't load the Airport Utility (see http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7132922&tstart=0), and I've gotten things configured through another computer but I'm getting lots of stuttering audio when I attempt playback.
There's a pattern to it: the song starts fine, and then about 3 seconds in it starts stuttering. A buffering issue?
No problems on the network that I'm aware of.
I tried setting Quicktime to "safe mode waveout", but no help.
Any tips?

Typically, "stuttering" can be a result of either low signal strength or high signal noise values, or both.
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your AirPort Express Base Station (AX) from getting a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
For Macs:
o MacStumbler
o iStumbler
For PCs:
o NetStumbler
o WiFi Manager

Horrible Audio Quality from Airport Express

Last night, I purchased an Airport Express for the sole purpose of using it as a client on my already exsiting 802.11g wireless network to play my iTunes on my living room stero. It took me a while to get the configuration set up correctly, but I finally have it so that it is communicating with the network and sending information and iTunes to the AirPort.
My problem is that the audio quality on my stero system is horrendous (i.e. unlistenable). It sounds like I'm listening to a radio broadcast from way out of range.
Here's the odd part - the connector cable to my stereo works fine with other audio devices (i.e. my iPod) - and the Airport Express works fine with just my headphones. So, there is no problem hooking into the stereo and no problem with range or communication between my iTunes, network and the Airport.
I think this issue problably has something to do with the levels from the Airport unit into my stereo, but I don't know exactly what my next move should be. The only thing I'm quite convinced about is there must be a very simple answer to this problem which has had me pulling my hair out for hours now.
If anyone could suggest something that could help, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
--Cozmo
Dell Windows XP Pro

Hi cozmocramernyc,
I am glad it works.
I use the Digital Optical cable instead the standard cable and the audio is Awesome.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/3.RSLID?mco=C B298EB6&nplm=M9573LL%2FA

How to restore strength of signal from Airport Expresses on a network

I have a newly developed problem with the signal strength from two Airport Expresses drawing a wireless signal from an Airport Extreme downstairs near the router and an IMac. This network has been functioning well for some time. Recently I noted that the signal strength upstairs (for I Pods etc) was weak where it had previously been strong. The Airport Utility program reports that these AExpresses have been properly set up and report no problems (My Airport utility version was 4.something, in spite of supposedly being automatically upgraded, and when I checked "upgrades" that brought the response that there were none, even though the current version is 5.5.2, and I then went and got that upgrade anyway).
After fiddling with the upgraded Airport Utility, without knowing what I was doing, and possibly making the Airport Extreme reset itself, the strength of one of the Airport Expresses, (the one further away) increased almost to previous (normal?) levels, while the closer one stayed weak (the one Airport Utility calls "Base Station" even though, like the further Airport Express, it is an identical Airport Express wirelessly connected to the Airport Extreme downstairs). Both, incidentally are 8011n, if I have that right.
Please forgive this incoherent post, but I am confused about how to trouble shoot a network like this, when something is not going right. I have read a number of the support articles as well as posts in this discussion group, and have learned a lot in general, but not specifically for this problem.
Thanks Rick Ward

Ok, thanks for clarifying your network requirements with the AXns.
For both AXns to be successful in extending the AEBSn's wireless network they need to be within a 25+ dB SNR range of that AEBSn. SNR, or Signal to Noise Ratio, is the base station's Signal strength (in dBm) - Noise level (in dBm). Two primary reasons for low SNR values is Wi-Fi interference and obstacles (like walls/ceilings, etc.) that prevent a signal from passing through.
You can easily calculate the SNR value by using a utility like iStumbler. Ideally, you would run iStumbler on a laptop and take signal & noise measurements at both the location of the AEBSn and at the desired locations of the AXns (with the AXns powered-off). If the SNRs are 25+ dB, then you should be get good performance with placing an AXn there to extend the AEBSn's wireless network. If not, then you won't.
Also, remember, with the 802.11n AirPorts, think of the configuration of the extended network with the main router as the hub of a wheel and the extending routers as spokes on that wheel. You cannot extend the network in a serial fashion (main to relay to remote) in this configuration.

Noise on optical output from Airport Express

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