The Peoples Streamer: Google Chromecast Audio
Google Chromecast Audio.
£30 for a streaming device which talks to any mobile device on almost any operating system. CCA (ChromeCast Audio) outputs music via 3.5mm socket (for 3.5mm jack to jack cable, or a 3.5 jack > RCA 'Y' cable for conventional HiFi), or digital output over optical. Anything up to 24/96 is supported, everything over that is downsampled and still plays. Being a mainstream device, most streaming services (with Tidal apparently soon to follow) have integrated Chromecast Audio into their apps.
It can play your own music from your NAS too, the following CODECs are supported: AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV, FLAC. I don't know about AIFF (which is a legacy format) but it's usually supported if AAC/ALAC is.
Why is this potentially a great little device? Because it takes the computer out of computer audio, like the old Squeezebox Touch did, only more so. Anyone with a mobile device can connect to CCA and access music content, without any risk of, say, young ones harming a cherished music library, or uninterested spouses giving up as it's all so difficult to use. £30 to make a HiFi accessible to anyone in the house without risk! That's about the cost of a new record. It is also tiny, and funky looking. This is what technology should be.
This really is plug and play; if you have a WiFi network in your home and use mobile devices, you should be up and running inside 10 minutes.
I already use a conventional Chromecast for television and I will certainly be adding a CCA to my system shortly. Probably not for use during my self indulgent, serious HiFi 'alone' time, but all of the other times, in the real world, this is very, very much good enough. This makes better quality audio available to more people, for peanuts.
£30 for a streaming device which talks to any mobile device on almost any operating system. CCA (ChromeCast Audio) outputs music via 3.5mm socket (for 3.5mm jack to jack cable, or a 3.5 jack > RCA 'Y' cable for conventional HiFi), or digital output over optical. Anything up to 24/96 is supported, everything over that is downsampled and still plays. Being a mainstream device, most streaming services (with Tidal apparently soon to follow) have integrated Chromecast Audio into their apps.
It can play your own music from your NAS too, the following CODECs are supported: AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV, FLAC. I don't know about AIFF (which is a legacy format) but it's usually supported if AAC/ALAC is.
Why is this potentially a great little device? Because it takes the computer out of computer audio, like the old Squeezebox Touch did, only more so. Anyone with a mobile device can connect to CCA and access music content, without any risk of, say, young ones harming a cherished music library, or uninterested spouses giving up as it's all so difficult to use. £30 to make a HiFi accessible to anyone in the house without risk! That's about the cost of a new record. It is also tiny, and funky looking. This is what technology should be.
This really is plug and play; if you have a WiFi network in your home and use mobile devices, you should be up and running inside 10 minutes.
I already use a conventional Chromecast for television and I will certainly be adding a CCA to my system shortly. Probably not for use during my self indulgent, serious HiFi 'alone' time, but all of the other times, in the real world, this is very, very much good enough. This makes better quality audio available to more people, for peanuts.
Comments
We've missed you Mr. Brown.
It would be rude not to. No idea how long for though, so be fast...
Once you install the Chromecast app (Apple or Android) it will kind of 'piggy back' onto what you're streaming.
Most larger apps (like YouTube and Netflix, for example, on the TV version) build in Chromecast integration. You just tick a little box and what you're watching appears on the TV with the Chromecast plugged in.
Same principle for the audio version. I believe the biggest issue right now is allowing easy access to local files on a NAS (this can be done with a third party app - bubbleUPnP), and I think they're still waiting on Tidal integration.
All told, the Chromecast Audio appears to be somewhere between technically excellent and technically perfectly adequate, especially given the buttons it costs.
I am still using mine with the internal DAC (via screen casting) for Radio Paradise. I understand the PLEX app will allow me to access my own music library, but there's little point with the Mac/DAC just sitting there. I think the CC-A is a true landmark audio product, with near enough audiophile abilities (but zero cred - which is a big plus AFAIAC).
The Chromecast isn't really setup for streaming from a NAS, although I understand the Plex app makes it possible.
It's really designed to allow internet radio, or spotify type services to be 'cast' from your mobile device (phone or tablet) to the Chromecast Audio. It then plays through your stereo, either via the Chromecast' internal DAC or via the Chromecast > optical out > DAC.
The great thing about it is, one's family (including children) can easily access the stereo without doing anything wrong, and that the audio quality really is above reproach AFAICS.
What fun! I can see this getting some use from more than just myself...
Anyhoosen, while at it I bought a Chromecast Audio as well, also on offer but yet to be connected.
I have joined the streaming world......finally
If you open the 'Google Home' app on your device, and press the menu icon on the top left you see a side bar appear. The top option ought to be 'Cast screen/audio'.
Now some apps don't have native Chromecast support built in but using this option you can cast any audio you play, or alternatively any film you watch, directly from your device screen. This is how I watch Amazon Prime, or listen to Radio Paradise on my Chromecasts. To cast from my NAS I use Bubble UPnP, which is both a free and easy app.
I hope that helps you have fun!
The only point that caught me out was the video driven casts that won't work on the CCA but will on the CC, due to the video content.
I gleefully assumed the audio side would come through anyway
I'll look into Bubble UPnP for the PC local audio.
Poy-fect!