Setting up a multi-zone stereo system in my home with Airport Express

I'm trying to set up an in-home stereo system using iTunes as my main hub.  I want to play iTunes as well as Pandora and possibly Sirius.  Can I set this up with Airport Express?  Would I control everything through iTunes on my MacBook or an iPad?  How is this all wired if I have some existing external speakers with a receiver in my family room, built-in ceiling speakers in the kitchen, and outdoor external speakers?  I am comparing this to a Sonos system, but the Sonos is not really in my budget. 
Also, what is the difference between Airport Express and Airport Extreme?  What would I need for this situation?  Thanks in advance for your help.

>I want to play iTunes as well as Pandora and possibly Sirius. Can I set this up with AirPort Express?
From iTunes you can stream a single audio source to one or multiple 802.11n AirPort Express Base Stations (AXn), but you cannot stream multiple audio sources to separate AXns. You would need a third-party product, like Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil to stream audio sources other than from iTunes.
>Would I control everything through iTunes on my MacBook or an iPad?
You could do either.
>How is this all wired if I have some existing external speakers with a receiver in my family room, built-in ceiling speakers in the kitchen, and outdoor external speakers?
Of the speakers you mentioned, only the ones connected to the receiver would work directly connected to an AXn. The audio output port on the AXn is a combo 3.5 mm stereo analog/optical digital port. Assuming your receiver accepts either analog or digital audio input, you can feed the output of iTunes or Airfoil from the AXn to the receiver. In turn, the receiver (if configured for whole home stereo) can feed the kitchen and outdoor speakers.
>Also, what is the difference between AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme?
What's similar: Both are Internet routers that provide wireless. Both provide the ability to share an attached USB printer. What's different: The Extreme has a built-in Ethernet switch. The Extreme supports sharing HDDs and printers together or separately via a USB hub. The Express has a built-in audio circuitry, the Extreme does not.
>What would I need for this situation?
Only the Express can accomplish providing an audio stream.

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