Using Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi base station for AirPlay 2 with analog or optical audio to stereo

Рет қаралды 18,934

4 жыл бұрын

Looking to turn an old stereo receiver into an Apple AirPlay 2 wireless audio receiver? It's simple! Just follow the steps I've laid out, and you'll be streaming your Apple Music to that vintage stereo in no time!
Hardware mentioned in the video:
Apple AirPort Express (Version 2, Model A1392)
www.apple.com/shop/product/FC...
Stereo Male RCA to Stereo Male 3.5mm audio cable
www.amazon.com/Monoprice-1093...
OR (If you have a receiver that has digital optical inputs)
Optical Toslink to Mini Toslink Jack Digital audio cable
www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-T...

Пікірлер: 64

@Triestini 3 жыл бұрын

I did get it work. I used my iPad to set it up and got it to search for my iPhone’s personal WiFi network using the iPad. Very simple. I then connected it to my Technics Digital Integrated Amplifier SU-X501 via an optional cable. WOW the results are something to be heard.

@PranavNakhare 3 жыл бұрын

This is the easiest multi-room audio set so far....thanks for the video !!!

@nghngh5956 Жыл бұрын

So far the Best explanation & demonstration I have seen when compared to several videos I have seen on this topic. Thanks a whole Bunch.

@AbhayRajKapoor 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!! Worked really well. It did not show up initially inAirport Utilities, but in you click the WiFi icon on the top bar, it shows up there. After following the rest of your set up, it now pops up on Airport Utilities. thank you again!!!

@a1white 3 жыл бұрын

I recommend the Airfoil app, for your Mac, too. you can stream to any number of devices (including first generation airport expresses and Bluetooth speakers) synced and from any app (not just iTunes).

@hamzahbatha1552 3 жыл бұрын

Airfoil satellite is great too. It acts like an Airport Express

@glengeddes7391 2 жыл бұрын

I have two old Airport expresses with Airplay 1. One is upstairs with an amp, one is downstairs with another amp. They both are controlable with my iphone or my Macbook pro and never any updates needed is the best part. They also don't have to be setup where the modem is, and everything is run through Bluetooth 😊to a REAL stereo!

@Triestini 3 жыл бұрын

Nice channel. Nicely presented. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@dmandpe 2 ай бұрын

Just had this need and works like a charm at a house with one router…… however when I moved the system (7 zones) to a new house with numerous AP’s, I’m only able to see the zones when I set them up and connected to that AP…… once I walk away, I start losing the ability to see/control the AirPort Express……. Any ideas?

@gerwinprins5301 2 жыл бұрын

Can you use your iPhone internet to hotspot it to the Airport? Can you connect two HomePod Mini's to it?

@NOMADSPEOPLE Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I have this set up on my old Sony receiver with Aux to RCA. Is there much sound improvement going to mini-Toslink to Toslink? The latter cable is cheap, but my receiver only has one optical port in. If I go optical from the Airport Express, I'd have to manually switch the TV Toslink cable depending on what I'm using the receiver for. (Yes, I'm aware that there are Toslink splitters allowing 2 into 1 port, but I may as well get a used receiver with 2 optical input ports at that price point).

@santiago2156 2 жыл бұрын

I know you can stream music to multiple airplay devices. But when watching video on apple tv 4k can I stream the audio to 2 homepods (as a stereo pair) AND an airport express which has a subwoofer connected. So I can achieve stereo with homepods + subwoofer at the same time to watch movies. Hope my question was clear! Thanks!

@santiago2156 2 жыл бұрын

Also, does the 802.11AC version which is taller, supports airplay 2?

@AbhayRajKapoor 2 жыл бұрын

On my Mac Book, its working fine with iTunes, but its not showing up in airplay on You Tube (Safari)

@christopherfrendo7419 Жыл бұрын

Hi I have 1gen is not working to my Mac mini if someone cen give me advice

@n.r.2258 Жыл бұрын

If you tell us, how you get rid of the awful jitter (what „excellent digital signal“ do you mean) …. that would be helpful.

@avman1339 Жыл бұрын

Will this work from the Apple Music app on an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra)? I have a Chromecast Audio device and a WiiM mini pro streamer but I can't get any song out over 44kHz/16 resolution from the Apple app (others like Amazon, Qobuz, Tidal do put out 48/24 or higher) I have the Apple music app set for 192/24 as an option (I've selected) but I'm reading that the Airport you're featuring w/AirPlay 2 would do the trick (I just don't know if my Android would work w/that)

@TolgaOksay 3 жыл бұрын

Just buying 2 AirPort Express 2s to use with my echo speakers, it’s a shame that they don’t support it. I thought of getting Raspberry pi and configuring them to do the ‘same’ AirPlay 2 with balena sound, however it’s not that trustworthy and I didn’t want to spend 80 euros for each.. found used AirPort Expresses around 30-40 euros

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

They updated them to support AirPlay 2 after discontinuing them, so I’d say there is some support there. I’ve also received updates after that initial feature was added.

@jcachat 4 жыл бұрын

Yo Mike - appreciate the video. I find it wild that in Summer 2020, this is still the best way to enable your vintage stereo receiver/amp with AirPlay such that I can play songs from iPhone to those speakers. With how many bluetooth adaptors are out there, why are there no AirPlay adaptors?? From my understanding, the Airplay Adaptor would join same wifi as iPhone. Range of that Wifi is based on Wifi Signal, and improving WIFI range will expand where you can be with your iPhone (how close or how far) can change the songs. So AirPlay adaptor, on Wifi with iPhone. From Airplay Adaptor, use 3.5mm or RCA or Digital Audio out to an audio input on receiver and thats it...ya?? I mean with how many long-range, bluetooth 5.1 adaptors there are - does this really remain the best option?? would a better option involve an amplifier/receiver that just supports wifi/airplay already?? getting a new amp is an option for me, my biggest concerns are related to range. if the amplifier in the garage is on the same wifi network that is extended into the backyard properly, and my iphone is connected to - then I should be able to airplay to that reciever > and speakers no problem right??

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, all need to be on the same WiFi, and it would be limited to your WiFi range... which would typically be much bigger than bluetooth range. And yes on the connection question. It is super simple. One cable (toslink optical cable or RCA to headphone) between the receiver and the AirPort Express. That's it!

@hamzahbatha1552 3 жыл бұрын

There are many AirPlay streamers out there that audiophiles are familiar with. There's cheap ones like the Audiocast M5 or the August WR320 and more expensive ones like the Bluesound Node 2i and the Volumio Primo. You can also build your own custom streamer with all the features you want by using a Raspberry Pi (there are many guides online on how to build one of these)

@matafiyd Жыл бұрын

@@hamzahbatha1552yeah- no thanks

@hafizhdwiandra9790 3 жыл бұрын

can we still setup the first generation airport express the a1264 ?

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, but it doesn’t support AirPlay 2, only AirPlay 1 - Which means you won’t be able to connect to multiple AirPlay speakers.

@EverCuriousGeek 2 жыл бұрын

Can you use the 2nd Generation Airport Express to do Airplay 2 hardwired by ethernet to your network, or is this just Wi-Fi? I've added one to my Pakedge network but it appears you can only add it to existing Wi-Fi SSIDs. When I've tried to set it up when connected to ethernet it has failed several times.

@bradleyclark5936 Жыл бұрын

Set up as new. No Wireless ssid.

@Triestini 3 жыл бұрын

I can connect this to my personal hotspot via my iPhone/iPad ??? I don’t have home WIFI. I’m connecting all of my i-devices via my iPhone 5G SIM card.

@stephenmorrissey1254 3 жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jq-foLx9kruwoac.html At the one and a half minute mark this guys explains setting up with no WiFi/internet. He misses telling you to put in a password and that you need to connect to the Airport Express but otherwise it does work. No guarantee it will work in your situation.

@thor7564 3 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know if you can set up two airport express units and stereo pair them just like homepod?

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

The signal coming from the AirPort Express is in stereo, not mono, so no- it wouldn’t work like HomePods. However... You could just use one RCA plug from each AirPort Express. That could work, in theory.

@thor7564 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheFlyingBarrel the signal you stream from your i-device to one single homepod is also stereo, so somewhere down the line it sums the channels. Another thing is how does the signal get split to L and R when stereo pairing: is it done by Airplay 2, Homepods or by interaction? I would guess Airplay 2 sends some control bit or similar putting L/R Homepod in a mode to cut the other channel. In my mind ending up with one L/L spdif (or comparable digital audio signal) and one R/R spdif, instead of the normal L/R signal. AE is supposed to have an DSP so it's more likely than not to function as any other Airplay 2 speaker. Guess I need to get another AE for find out for sure ;)

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

@@thor7564 - There’s definitely some software the HomePods are using to pull this wireless stereo split off.

@mariuszstolarczyk240 3 жыл бұрын

Does this solution support music clips from KZfaq ?

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

KZfaq can stream to AirPlay devices, and the AirPort Express is an AirPlay device, so it would seem so.

@karthikeyansadasivam6107 3 жыл бұрын

I get only PCM signal in my receiver , Not 5.1 dolby digital?

@bradleyclark5936 Жыл бұрын

Should still work fine.

@tomasz5274 4 жыл бұрын

Is the digital output limited to 16bit 44.1kHz?

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent question. I would assume so, but not sure how I would test.

@avman1339 Жыл бұрын

My understanding is you can get up to 192kHz and 24 bit depth with a high resolution track, and the settings in the app

@gianlucagianferrari Жыл бұрын

super! it works only for music with airplay or it works as a normal speaker, for youtube etc etc ?

@bradleyclark5936 Жыл бұрын

Full AirPlay functionality. So everything on iOS.

@bradleyclark5936 Жыл бұрын

Full AirPlay functionality. So everything on iOS.

@kidsfriends8269 4 жыл бұрын

If you make an optical connection between the airport and your amp/dac. Wouldnt that use the amp's dac?

@TheFlyingBarrel 4 жыл бұрын

Would it use any DAC? Optical is a digital signal, so there may not actually be a conversion to analog in that scenario. It's digital from start to finish.

@kidsfriends8269 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Cooper thanks for replying

@aussie8114 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Cooper There has to be a DAC somewhere. Speakers only respond to an analog source.

@kidsfriends8269 4 жыл бұрын

LAZY DOG I understood his comment as going straight to the amp from the source.

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

@@aussie8114 Yes, that would be the receiver's DAC, since it's a digital signal all the way into the receiver.

@operationhotshotinc.6887 3 жыл бұрын

Are these still getting updates .

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

They’ve been updated to support Airplay 2, so yes.

@marcosaguilar8504 3 жыл бұрын

Can I connect my tv to the airport? I want my tv sound to come out thru my HomePod when I play on my ps4

@InsanityCollection 3 жыл бұрын

The new Apple TV 4K does just what you're wanting. You can set your HomePods (original version) as the default TV speakers, even when playing PS4, PS5, etc.

@marcosaguilar8504 3 жыл бұрын

@@InsanityCollection I’ve tried that but it doesn’t work, once I switch over to hdmi2, all the sound comes out thru my tv speakers.

@InsanityCollection 3 жыл бұрын

@@marcosaguilar8504 Make sure your TV has an ARC port and connect the HDMI cable into that one. It needs to be an ARC port.

@marcosaguilar8504 3 жыл бұрын

@@InsanityCollection but HomePod doesn’t have an arc connector and I don’t think my Apple TV has one either…I’ll do more research tonight when I get home

@marcosaguilar8504 3 жыл бұрын

@@InsanityCollection damn, looks like only the new Apple 4K TVs have arc support :/ hopefully Apple releases a firmware update to the older Apple 4K TVs

@cheahchunkeat1981 4 жыл бұрын

Could this solution support Spotify ?

@TheFlyingBarrel 3 жыл бұрын

I don't personally use Spotify. Is AirPlay supported? If so, yes.

@hamzahbatha1552 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah of course but have to be using an Apple device though. You can stream audio from any app by opening the control centre and clicking the AirPlay audio icon.in the music widget.