I use Itunes with Airport Express on 5GHz with no dropouts (Mac Mini). What is being sent to Airport Express is compressed data in packets (not in the real time). Programs, or anything else, don’t make any difference (since it is just a "bit perfect" data), unless they alter it. Other people can have different results with different programs when they have different (no network) connection, like S/Pdif (where timing plays important role). In such case playback program, speed of computer, amount of memory or playback from memory can make audible difference.
I keep my CDs in ALAC format. It save HD space and it is (I believe) format of data being sent over Wi-Fi.
The only negative side of Itunes is interface. I created "Smart Playlists" for each genre. It resulted in much better view with matrix of thumbnails on the page. Perhaps there is a way to do this without going to "Smart Playlists", but I couldn’t find it.
I keep my CDs in ALAC format. It save HD space and it is (I believe) format of data being sent over Wi-Fi.
The only negative side of Itunes is interface. I created "Smart Playlists" for each genre. It resulted in much better view with matrix of thumbnails on the page. Perhaps there is a way to do this without going to "Smart Playlists", but I couldn’t find it.