I'm using an earlier generation AE with Toslink to a Rega DAC-R and I'm deeply reluctant to part with it. My wifi router in the office is within 8 feet of the unit and dropouts are rare. SQ is great. I've compared it with USB direct from my Mac to the DAC-R and it's incredibly hard to distinguish. (Easier with high-res files, which AE/AP doesn't support).
I've also compared SQ streaming Tidal to the AE unit versus iTunes playing on either my office PC or Mac. Again, hard to tell, though I think the local source edges Tidal (barely). The convenience of the AE is pretty wonderful. I suspect I'll use it until it gives out then I'll hunt another one online.
Embarrassing confession: for the first year I owned it I didn't know there was a digital out. At that time, I owned an older Harmon-Kardon AV receiver and even the DAC in the HK was superior to the onboard AE DAC (to my ears). Discovery of the optical out was an instant upgrade, haha.
I'm a fan of the AE, but only with the digital out, of course.
I've also compared SQ streaming Tidal to the AE unit versus iTunes playing on either my office PC or Mac. Again, hard to tell, though I think the local source edges Tidal (barely). The convenience of the AE is pretty wonderful. I suspect I'll use it until it gives out then I'll hunt another one online.
Embarrassing confession: for the first year I owned it I didn't know there was a digital out. At that time, I owned an older Harmon-Kardon AV receiver and even the DAC in the HK was superior to the onboard AE DAC (to my ears). Discovery of the optical out was an instant upgrade, haha.
I'm a fan of the AE, but only with the digital out, of course.