airport express alternative?

[fosman]

Hi,

As airplay has become more useful I really want the ability to stream to my bedroom stereo. However, it seems that the only way to do this is with an airport express.

£79 for a simple wireless bridge seems pretty steep, especially as it's not been updated in years (?) - even more so when Apple TV (which I also have) is £99.

Is there a simple thing that I can plug into my stereo AUX to give it airplay?

I was actually hoping that apple would have solved this problem with their last product refresh - making Airplay cheap and useful would further lock people into the Apple ecosystem.

Thanks!

 

[garybUK]

Hi,

As airplay has become more useful I really want the ability to stream to my bedroom stereo. However, it seems that the only way to do this is with an airport express.

£79 for a simple wireless bridge seems pretty steep, especially as it's not been updated in years (?) - even more so when Apple TV (which I also have) is £99.

Is there a simple thing that I can plug into my stereo AUX to give it airplay?

I was actually hoping that apple would have solved this problem with their last product refresh - making Airplay cheap and useful would further lock people into the Apple ecosystem.

Thanks!

Airport Express was refreshed this year?!?! £79 isn't bad considering it's a WIFI Repeater / Access Point / Router / Print Server / Airplay device.

The only other alternatives are to get a Bluetooth Receiver which won't give the range or sound quality of Airplay, £79 might seem steep if all your using it for is a Wifi client with Airplay, but you could stick it in repeater mode.

 

[fosman]

Yes, sorry you're right - does seem to have been a product refresh. Still - I live in a 2 bed flat - a wireless repeater is of little use to me. I just want a good, reasonably priced way of getting airplay onto my stereo.

The ability to cheaply add airplay to any stereo seems like a no-brainer. Unless I'm missing something?

 

[Mrbobb]

U maybe able to buy a used 802.11b Express, "b" should work just fine for audio.

Just be sure, google, whether your current WIFI router can do N,G whatever simultaneously with B. it used to be that once u have a B device on the LAN, the entire WIFI dropped down to B.

 

[mchalebk]

I bought refurbished from the Apple store when I wanted another Airport Express for Airplay purposes. You certainly don't need the latest and greatest for audio only.

It's a shame that Apple doesn't offer an Airplay only version (without the router capabilities). It could probably sell for half the price of an AE. I'm not aware of anything cheaper on the market, though.