How many iPod Hi-Fi user's go AirPort Express to Hi-Fi via fiber optic?

-Which Optical Digital-Audio connectors in use?

For connection between Airport Express and iPod HiFi, you need an optical cable with mini jack optical both ends.

However, I know there is an adapter available between mini jack optical to Toslink optical. Check this GriffinXpressCable

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/xpress/


-How much better is audio performance?

A subjective answer - in my opinon 20% better

I purchased an optical cable from the Sony store. It has removable rectangular (toslink) ends so you can change the ends to mini optical digital connectors. I'm running it from an AirTunes Express to the back of the Hi-Fi. I haven't noticed any difference in audio quality. So far, the Hi-Fi has been rather unimpressive as far as sound quality. My music files are encoded in AIFF and Apple Lossless. I'd suggest two sets of red/white rca connectors with a bridge to connect the Airtunes Express to the Hi-Fi. Much cheaper and sounds the same.

Hello,

I have not heard about the optical tosilink splitter, however, I know there are some Digital convertor with few outputs (a single input with few outputs), however, it will cost too much, I rather to buy another airport express in another room, bear in mind that you can link several airport expresses with a computer.

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/unwireyourlivingroom.html

well done


cheers

Unfortunately, the experience with this has been rather frustrating. I wanted to go for the fiber option option as it was suggested on the Apple Hifi website.

However, walking to the huge Apple Store in San Francisco I did find that they don't offer a cable with 2 mini-optical connectors. I decided to pay the apple tax and buy 2 macXtreme cables, which are Toslink-Toslink cables and come with ONE of these precious adapters.

However, the result didn't work at all. Full stop. After swapping around all kinds of elements I decided to make an appointment at the Genius Bar today. Folks down there were as puzzled as I was and didn't have clue. However, they - and that really speaks for them - didn't easily give up and send me away and finally we found that using a different brand of cable, it somehow worked. Furthere experimentation turned out that....

- Belkin PureAV Cable + 1 Belkin adapter + 1 macXtreme adapter: works, no matter what side (MBP or Hifi) has which adapter.
- Belkin PureAV Cable + 2 macXtreme adapters: doesn't work!
- macXtreme Cable + 1 Belkin adapter + 1 macXtreme adapter: works, no matter what side (MBP or Hifi) has which adapter.
- macXtreme Cable + 2 macXtreme adapters: doesn't work!

So - basically when there are macXtreme adapters on either side, it didn't work for all. The only logical explanation that we could come up with is that, unlike the Belkin adapter, the macXtreme adapter loses some of the optical signal and two of those make the loss large enough to get it over the edge.

I purchased the Belkin cable and now it works, happily.

So....

1. Apple, if you read this, you should make sure that your stores carry optical-optical cables with 2 adapters that you can use to connect the Hifi to an express - or take the ad for this combo off your website.

2. Don't sell macXtreme cables in your store, as they simply don't seem to work in this use case.

Cheers,
Florian.

the brand of cable should read xtrememac...

Florian.

Does this also work for Hi FI to MacBook? That is one Belkin, 1 xtreme adapter?

Incredible! I had the exact same issue and found an old proprietary Sony cable I had with one end already mini-Toslink and stuck an adapter to the other end. Works great now. Didn't work at all will the Monster Cable with 2 adapters.

My main stereo had no issue whatsoever with the adapters... seems to be something odd about the HI-FI.

I think there is less noise and better base with the TOSLINK.