a few points and corrections
1. optical from the laptop and USB will both do 24/96
2. airport express is limited to 16/44.1
3. go to Wavelength audio site for info on setting it up
4. go to Audio Asylum and prowl around the PC Audio board
5. there are a lot of options to control the mini, see 4 above
6. everything changes the sound on a high resolution system
7. optical is likely to have more jitter and should be reclocked or use a DAC with good jitter rejection for optimum performance (Altmann Attraction DAC is very nice)
good luck, have fum
1. optical from the laptop and USB will both do 24/96
2. airport express is limited to 16/44.1
3. go to Wavelength audio site for info on setting it up
4. go to Audio Asylum and prowl around the PC Audio board
5. there are a lot of options to control the mini, see 4 above
6. everything changes the sound on a high resolution system
7. optical is likely to have more jitter and should be reclocked or use a DAC with good jitter rejection for optimum performance (Altmann Attraction DAC is very nice)
good luck, have fum