is there audio quality difference between the airport extreme and Apple TV

I want to bring the iTunes library to my stereo, and googling on this there were a number of posts that suggested that Airport Extreme had better decoding for CD quality audio then did the AppleTV. All the iTunes files are of course digital, and I am intending to use the optical output of either the Airport Express or AppleTV.

To really hear a difference I would need to do an A/B test of one against the other - which I do not intend to do, but I do have a very high end system so when things are not as they should be there is no hiding it.

I don't need the AppleTV right now for the theater setting - so video streaming ability would be on hold there, for now but likely added sometime in the next year or so.

It's really a matter of which device is going to be better for delivering the iTunes music library to the stereo system. Why there would be a different between the Airport Extreme and the AppleTV is not clear to me. The limiting source would seem to be the bit rate of the files in iTunes - but perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps there is a difference in DA converters - though that too would seem strange, but with the use of the Digital Optical Out I would think that there should be no difference.

But certainly better to know about it before I buy the device and get it set up - appreciate any thoughts and suggestions.

• Asked by Dan R from Superior
• Jul 23, 2012
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Is there enough or necessary differences to justify the $80 between the Airport express and extreme?

• Asked by Marc W from Phoenix
• Aug 10, 2012
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Is this different from the 2 Airport Express units I already have that plug right into the wall to extend my Airport Extreme's wifi signal?

The two that I already have plug right into the wall & work great (and are out of sight). This new one seems like it needs to be plugged in with a cord. The cord is a problem, I was planning on putting one in every room, but cords all over the place would present a domestic issue.

• Asked by Dale F from Huntington Beach
• Jun 13, 2012
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Will the Airport Express extend the guest network of an Airport Extreme?

• Asked by Anthony M from Albuquerque
• Jun 11, 2012
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Does the airport express have to be wired in to a modem or the airport extreme, or can it be used freestanding if i have an extreme wired in?

do all devices have to be wired to interconnect?

• Asked by Jamie C from Carmel
• Jul 17, 2012
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How does the Airport Express range compare to an Airport Extreme? I want to extend my network.

• Asked by Malcolm D from San Rafael
• Sep 4, 2012
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Does anybody know what the power consumption of the new Airport Express is?

The 1st generation draws only 2 watts. An Airport Extreme is about 7 w.

• Asked by George S from Torrance
• Dec 13, 2012
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This new airport express, isn't this what my Time Capsule already does and if different, how so? Thanks

New Air Port Express vs. Time Capsule

• Asked by Donna B from Uncasville
• Jun 11, 2012
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Technical network question: can I use the Express with my current Airport Extreme, as a repeater with printer connected?

I currently have an airport extreme, which is very good at getting range throughout my very long unit (about 30 meters.)

I have my TV, XBOX, PC down one end.. and my iMac is down the other end. I had the Extreme set up in the middle of the house. So it turns out, my xbox360 along with the NBA App wont give me HD unless its plugged in, even if the wireless Extreme unit is sitting 5 inches away from the XBOX360 (I tested this). Highlights work fine, but actual games - na.

So I though I would move the extreme in the room with the XBOX 360 etc in it..

Anyway, surprisingly, down the other end of the house, the iMac works on the internet fine! The iPhone 5 also works well.(checked with speediest and can confirm that the iphone lost less than 10% at the end of the house! impressive :-) ) BUT when I look at the iMac network connection, it says the transmit signal is only 27 down from around 217. The internet is fine, but youtube has taken a hit.

My dilemma then, is that I need the printer connected to a wireless device so everything including our laptops can print. I also would not mind extending the range back out for the iMac.

So I am considering the Express to put in the middle of the house.

Questions:

1) If I have my modem plugged into the extreme, I assume I can use the express as an extender?

2) Can I plug the printer into the Extender, or in this case, the little express which will be used as an extender?

I sort of dont want the printer near the TV due to room issues, and would like to bring back the super quickness of the internet to the iMac.. Im not so fussed about the internet for the iMac, as its only YouTube which has taken a hit, everything else works great, which is amazing at such a long range. (almost 100 feet)

• Asked by Dennis K from Mosman
• Nov 15, 2012
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Will an airport express extend a wireless signal from an extreme without connecting via a cable?

• Asked by Paul M from Southern Pines
• Nov 3, 2012
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