How To Route Streaming Music From iPad 2 to DAC?

This is exactly my setup:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrisney/5278013451

Toslink to Apple Airport Express, into your pre amp. and the Byrston BDA 1. Either the IPad, the IPhone or your MacBook. All Apple products can stream to the Airport Express.

I wouldn't sweat high end Toslink cables if such a thing exists. Optical is optical, how can you refine fiber optic in terms of bits ? Anyways, I enjoy this setup immensely. So much so, that I use my analog components (tuner/turntable) almost zilch. And a transport ? I haven't used one, or played a CD in years.

When you goto a DAC, it simplify your system, Good amplification, whether solid state or Tube, good reference speakers, an adequate DAC, and you are good to go.

Or buy an Android based tablet and connect USB directly to it.

Another reason I stay away from Apple products, non-standard connector!

Okay, on the advice of several of you, I purchased the Apple Airport Express and a well made toslink to mini jack cable, and they were just delivered today from Amazon.

The manual gives multiple ways to set up the Airport Express, and I'm not sure which way to use. I already have a wireless network in my house and do not want this to interfere with that.

I will be using the iPad2 to stream subscription based music wirelessly to the Airport Express, which connect via the toslink cable to my DAC.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

JC

I sort of wish I'd seen this thread earlier.
First, AirportExpress has lots of jitter in the output. Some DACs will simply not like this and may either mute or produce an awful noise.
I am told the ATV is better in this regard.

The AE setup is done as a 'client' if I remember right. I use one in my system and have NO wireless router. My internet is done the old fashioned way, all with cable. To use the AE, I turn on the Airport in my computer. This 'wakes up' the AE over at the stereo and I'm good to go.
So, while the AE is essentially a 'dumb end', it does talk back to the computer to the extent that the computer knows its working.

Magfan,

Thanks for the information. Based on several recommendations above, I went with the Airport Express solution as it was less expensive, and supposedly worked well. Based on your input regarding the jitter issue, I'm now greatly regretting I didnt buy the recently upgraded Cambridge iD100 dock which now supports the iPad2. I'm afraid I may have thrown away $125.00 on the Airport Express and the cable for it. I also wish you had seen this thread sooner.

JC