Last time I checked, the USB port on the AE is reserved for print server duty and it isn't able to stream audio. Now, that may have changed but I don't think so.
Your set up is very well thought out. And, good grief that's a lot of TB's! Do you have the fmaily movie collection on that thing?
If you're anal about sound quality as I'm assuming you are given your post, I have some suggestions: as Restock pointed out, the weak link in your system is the AE. Even with DAC, it is not going to sound nearly as good as a computer hardwired to the DAC...at least based on my trials. The other issue is that your tunes are making 2 wireless jumps which may cause problems from time to time, although I am so thoroughly impressed by Apple's wireless applications that it may be fine. My suggestion would be to put your laptop on your rack hardwired to the Benchmark via USB, toslink, or whatever. That will exclude the AE in your main rig at least and cut out one of the wireless jumps. The laptop can be controlled using Frontrow, or even better, an Itouch with third party software.
Also, as it seems money is not a significant limiter, ditch the Benchmark and step up to a better DAC.
Your set up is very well thought out. And, good grief that's a lot of TB's! Do you have the fmaily movie collection on that thing?
If you're anal about sound quality as I'm assuming you are given your post, I have some suggestions: as Restock pointed out, the weak link in your system is the AE. Even with DAC, it is not going to sound nearly as good as a computer hardwired to the DAC...at least based on my trials. The other issue is that your tunes are making 2 wireless jumps which may cause problems from time to time, although I am so thoroughly impressed by Apple's wireless applications that it may be fine. My suggestion would be to put your laptop on your rack hardwired to the Benchmark via USB, toslink, or whatever. That will exclude the AE in your main rig at least and cut out one of the wireless jumps. The laptop can be controlled using Frontrow, or even better, an Itouch with third party software.
Also, as it seems money is not a significant limiter, ditch the Benchmark and step up to a better DAC.