AIrport Express / Spotify / Airfoil streaming problems

Hello world! Hoping you can help....
I have a Mac Book Pro and two hifi systems connected to my wireless network via two separate Air Port Express units.
I downloaded Airfoil to allow me to stream music to these Airport devices from Spotify.
Unfortunately the music constantly drops out, sometimes for minutes at a time. I can see the music is still playing on the Spotify App and the blue bar on the airfoil app is moving to show music is streaming through that too (before you ask I've checked volume and ensured Spotify is the chosen output!).
Occasionally one audio system will play music whilst the other is silent, but usually both airport express units will fail at the same time.
I live in a large block of flats, and I have always assumed that the problem was due to the number of wireless networks in the building... but then that wouldn't explain how the music is still playing on the app.
A friend has suggested a Airport Extreme base station might help matters, but another friend has said that wouldn't really help.
If anyone can help me with this problem it would be hugely appreciated. It's really frustrating!!!
P.

I have this same problem. The new Express was super-easy to set up - I didn't even have to do anything - but it does introduce gaps when I am streaming from services like Mog. My old Experss doesn't do that.
Would love to know what the solution is - otherwise, I'm taking this back to the Apple Store.

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Hi
Just wanted to share my experience -- I wasted most of a day getting my AirPort Express network up. Problem was, the setup software assumes that you have a wireless card in your PC. If, like me, you have a simple ethernet connection to a wireless router, then the program apparently has no way of finding the AirPort Express.
After hours of fumbling with suggestions on this forum, I finally found the tech support number and we figured out that I needed to run the setup program on my laptop, which does have a wireless card.
I would STRONGLY encourage Apple to re-write its setup software to recognize this very common hardware configuration and work with it, lest more customers waste more of their time. I was THIS CLOSE to angrily returning the box. Now that it's up, I really love it, but I almost didn't get there.
AirPort Express Windows XP No wireless card -- ethernet connection to wireless router
Airport Express Windows XP No wireless card -- ethernet connection to wireless router

I had the same problem as you did with the setup of the AX from a PC connected to the router by Ethernet. I was able to run the setup by using the "Other ..." button at the bottom of the Base Station Chooser and giving it the IP address of the AX.
Does iTunes on the PC connected to the router by Ethernet find the AX? It doesn't for me. It works great from my other 3 PCs that are connected to the network by wireless. Of course, the PC with the problem is the one across the family room from the stereo ...

How do you setup an Airport Express to only stream music???

+I have a Time Capsule setup as my base for the internet access, followed by an airport express for wireless usb devices and for my stereo. I have a second airport express to which I want to setup for streaming music only. When I leave my home and go to friends etc i which to stream music via this second airport express.+
When I setup this device I get "problem connecting to the internet" I have marked that I do not which to connect to the Internet and the following message comes "make sure your ethernet cable is connected" blah blah blah. All I need is a portable music streaming "Airport Express" device, no connecting to another network, no internet access ect. Please can someone help?????? Am I just chancing my tail???
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So you want to set the AirPort Express (AX) up at a location with no wireless network and no Ethernet network?
Just configure the AX to create a wireless network and ignore the messages about not being connected to the internet... because you aren't. Have your computer join the wireless network created by the AX. Start iTunes and stream music.

Airport Express wireless audio streaming keeps skipping

Hi all
I'm new to the forums, so hope you're going to be able to help me!
We have 2 airport express's in our apartment. One downstairs and one upstairs. Our main router is downstairs. Our living area is upstairs.
We have all of our music loaded onto our iPad 2 and we stream it to the upstairs airport express (which is usually connected no less than 10ft away). The iPad is connected via Wifi to the airport express upstairs.
The upstairs airport express connects via cable to our surround sound amplifier system.
Whilst playing music, it constantly cuts out, sometimes for many seconds at a time, making music impossible to listen to.
We also have the latest apple tv, and we've tried streaming the music from the iPad to that, but it does the same thing again. The apple tv is also connected to the amplifier.
I hope I've explained the situation well enough - any information you can provide would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Scott

Sure, no problem.
You are going to take Signal & Noise measurements, and then, calculate the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Not to worry, it sounds more difficult than actually doing it. Note: When taking these measurements, you will only want the AEBS to be broadcasting a wireless network as it is this network that we want to measure at the location of the AX. So, you just need to leave the AX disconnected from power and connect your Mac to the AEBS's wireless network while located near the AX. You, of course, are free (and encouraged) to take measurements at other point, like near the AEBS, a location between the AEBS and AX, and other areas upstairs where you can plug the AX into to see the differences.
SNR (in dB) = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm)
You can easily find the Signal and Noise values using System Profiler on your Mac laptop.
ref: Click on the Apple icon on the menu bar > About This Mac > More Info... > Contents > Network > AirPort > Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Find your wireless network > Signal / Noise
While your still in the System Profiler, note the value for Transmit Rate.
These values should be negative numbers. For example, mine currently read: -67 dBm / -95 dBm, with a transmit rate of 27 (Mbps). Plugging in these numbers yield: SNR = -67 - (-95) = 28. My Mac Mini is about four rooms away from my AEBS with about five walls between them. As you can see, the signal is still quite useable ... but the bandwidth is minimal, especially for streaming.
SNR Guideline
40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
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The TV set is in a room about 70 feet from my original Airport Express, which I use in a home office as a wireless network between my two computers (Mac mini running 10.4.11 and a Windows Vista laptop). Through AE the two computers share an internet connection and a printer.
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Airport express only music streaming

Good morning,
I just want to you use airport express for streaming music conneting a receiver and my mac pro book.
I don´t wanna go into the internet.
What to do?
I´m using a fritzbox 3270 for internet, phone, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Michael

You basically have two choices and they are dependent on whether or not you want to "switch" wireless networks between accessing the Internet and streaming.
The AirPort Express can be used standalone, meaning that you do not need to connect it to a network or the Internet in order for it to provide a Wi-Fi network for streaming. However, if you do so, you will (again) have to switch which wireless network you will connect to in order to do so.
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The musis still plays on my computer, it's just something with the music stream. Has anyone else encountered this?
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I'm connecting to a Cisco Systems WAP AP610N with a wireless band of 2.4GHz and a Channel Width of 20 MHz
Standard Channel is: 6 which is 2.437GHz
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FYI, my final resolution was to sell it and buy another one.

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AIrport Express / Spotify / Airfoil streaming problems

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