Yesterday I promised to tell you about an extremely affordable streaming device that is super easy to connect to. The unit has both a built in WIFI and Ethernet port, a digital S/PDIF output capable of 96kHz 24 bit audio to connect to your existing DAC plus an internal 96kHz 24 bit Wolfson DAC and output stage to play it through your preamp or integrated and retails for just $99.
What miracle is this? The Apple Airport Express. Simple, low cost, reasonable sounding with medium jitter levels. It's not high-end but it's performance when connected up to a simple bedroom system is actually pretty good and, for the money, it's hard to beat.
This streaming audio device can play anything stored on your Apple mobile product, or your computer through iTunes.
The reason I bring this to your attention is to start to give you a feel for what the range of products are that stream music. Most of us are aware of the more expensive streaming audio products from PS Audio, Linn, Naim, Meridian, Logitech, Sonos, etc. but many are not too aware of the lower cost offerings as I just described.
Tomorrow I'd like to touch on how all this works and what the ups and downs are.
