"Mini" to Optical for Airport Express

I'm new to this, I'm not sure if this pertains to the original question...but here's a review of toslink vs co-axial digital cables.

review (six moons):

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/toslink/toslink_2.html

AE only has the analog 3.5 mini out (to RCA), and a mini-toslink digital out. You can't stream via USB. Van Den Hul Optocoupler (one of the cables reviewed) has a mini-toslink to square toslink cable for $100. I have no idea if using an mini-toslink adapter would affect the signal. I imagine it would.

Van Den Hul:

http://www.vandenhul.com/p_B42.aspx

Hope this helps.

I'm going mini-toslink from AE to the square toslink of my DAC, RCA cables from DAC to a NAD 325bee.....

OH just to clarify, the six moon review claims that the signal out of certain toslink cables (Wireworld superNova and Van Den Hun Optocoupler $100) are at least equal to much more expensive co-axial cables.

Since the AE only streams digital out of it's mini-optical (toslink), there is no USB audio out (only printers), this pretty much rules out all the USB and co-axial DACs.

The Pacecar you put between your DAC and your pre-amp/integrated amp is like $1000+ dollars. That's a lot of cash. And I really don't know about spending thousands+ dollars on an external DAC.

I'd rather use that money for a quality turntable if I really wanted a superior listening experience, because no matter what, dollar for dollar, analog is going to sound better than digital.

I use a Macbook, and sitting on my couch being able to stream audio wirelessly while I'm surfing the net is pretty wicked. There's no way I'm running a USB cord to my stereo.

Also for all you non-itunes users, there is the Airfoil program (google it) that allows you to stream programs other than iTunes through AE.

Hope this helps.