your looking for an Airport Express.

RG

Works like a charm. I stream from my computer or from my IPhone. I listen to CBC Radio 2 from the streaming IPhone app on my Luxman or Bryston amps. Easy to set up.

kasper_dk wrote:

... Airplay is basically just a wireless protocol, so I'm thinking it must be possible to create a "basic box" with the tech inside to speak to Airplay ...

Nope. Don't think that'll happen. The AirPort Express has been on the market for several years now, and you'll notice no one has offered an alternative to it that talks to iTunes as if it were an AirPort Express.

FYI, you'll have a few bucks by purchasing a refurb from Apple. Same quality, condition and warranty as new. Usually $69. Look for it in the Refurbished Mac Accessories page.

That's where I got mine, currently I have it plugged straight into the back of an old stereo receiver's unswitched outlet for my garage system.

Of course there are alternative solutions such as the various Squeezebox boxes, but they cost more and don't necessarily do what you want here anyway.

I think that there are or will be Airplay enabled devices. There is a review of the Micromega AS-400 in the May issue of HiFi New and Record Review. It is an airplay enabled intergrated amplifier. In time there will be Airplay enabled DACs and other devices but i don't think Apple will allow a black box that copies what an Airport Express does without value added features.

And of course with the AE you'll be limited to AAC, AIFF, WAV and ALAC. No FLAC or APE.

Airport express is good starter to listen digital music on airplay.

In France there is a company Rosita modifing AE to get an audiophile streaming tool which give you a fantastic sound. http://larosita.fr/rosita/?lang=en&id=accueil

I use the following configuration:

ampli Cyrus 6XP; cd Cyrus 6SE cable chord crimson plus; Rosita alpha+ cable chord crimson plus; mac mini, itunes compression ALAC, ipad, ipod,

enceinte Cabasse Éole2 cable QED mini;

And really I enjoy much the system. Before using the Cyrus 6 XP amplifier I was using the NAD320 and the NAD CD515. The Rosita is impoving fabulously the AE and really it can replace with your mac and sound better than other equipment like olive, naim, ..., digital music player.

With such sytem you really enjoy the music.

Regards

To be honest the best way to get Airplay connected to your older amplifier would probably be by purchasing the new Teac MP-H01 airplay adapter, high quality dac and streaming...

Regards

XtremeMac InCharge Home BT

Other Bluetooth solutions.