• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Digital Output

PorchSong

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
43
Likes
42
Well as usual I am just looking for the bus as it has been gone from the station. I see some Chrome cast audio devices on ebay ( I believe that they are Chinese knockoffs) but not sure. Anyone can point me to the right direction? I was going to be making a raspberry pi for this but I am not sure if I am going to be able to do the code for SD card. I do have a usb class 2 dac (JDS el dac ii) . Should I go chrome or pi? I am streaming Tidal ( premier or whatever).

I don't think they are knockoffs. Some sellers stockpiled on them when Google announced they will stop making them and were dumping them at $15 a piece end of 2018. The Pi may be more flexible and supported long-term. The chromecast will be limited to 44.1 kHz on Tidal, but the Pi probably is too. I'm having stuttering issues with Qobuz hi-res streaming at 96kHz through Chromecast, seems to be a common issue.

Seems SUPER SKETCHY to me. He bought "this" but never used it because of a new amp purchase? Yet, 45 (with more than 10 still available) of them have been sold--with free shipping from China?!? -- this would be for a loss at that price. And how did he get 45+ of them. I call bullshit. "Too good to be true" especially at that price. Furthermore, once they announced the device was discontinued, there was no way in hell he got his hands on 45+ of them--and then sit on them for year to only sell 45+ at cost with free shipping. Save your money, this is a scam.


1578434953340.png


1578434968513.png
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
2,880
Likes
2,032
Location
Tampa Bay
Seems SUPER SKETCHY to me. He bought "this" but never used it because of a new amp purchase? Yet, 45 (with more than 10 still available) of them have been sold--with free shipping from China?!? -- this would be for a loss at that price. And how did he get 45+ of them. I call bullshit. "Too good to be true" especially at that price. Furthermore, once they announced the device was discontinued, there was no way in hell he got his hands on 45+ of them--and then sit on them for year to only sell 45+ at cost with free shipping. Save your money, this is a scam.


View attachment 44956

View attachment 44957
Likely since it's made in china; they knew it was being discontinued before it was discontinued.
But I agree that the market price is alot higher. Something seems wrong here.
 

gvl

Major Contributor
Joined
Mar 16, 2018
Messages
3,427
Likes
3,981
Location
SoCal
If you actually get one and it works, does it really matter if it is a knock-off for only $18? Seems like scam however.
 

Wombat

Master Contributor
Joined
Nov 5, 2017
Messages
6,722
Likes
6,459
Location
Australia
Will the Chromecast audio properly run from USB chargers? I am tempted to buy the CCA from the above seller(on Ebay) @AU$28, for a spare, but may need to buy an AU plug PS as well.

I can buy a refurbished AU model CCA here for $AU39 plus $AU12 shipping.
Unfortunately local Ebay used prices are excessive and shipping cost kills the overseas listings.
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
2,880
Likes
2,032
Location
Tampa Bay
Will the Chromecast audio run from OEM USB chargers? I am tempted to buy the CCA from the above seller(on Ebay) @AU$28, for a spare, but may need to buy an AU plug PS as well.

I can buy a refurbished AU model CCA here for $AU39 plus $AU12 shipping. Unfortunately local Ebay used prices are excessive and shipping cost kills the overseas listings.
Yes it works from any USB charger that is 1a or more.
 

Wombat

Master Contributor
Joined
Nov 5, 2017
Messages
6,722
Likes
6,459
Location
Australia
Update: 59 sold.
 

Jimster480

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
2,880
Likes
2,032
Location
Tampa Bay
I actually think that it is a scam. I think it is being sold by a hacked account. I checked the account and they have no recent sales and only 15 total feedback.
This item went for sale in the last days or so. Definitely wouldn't purchase as its surely a scam.
 

Wombat

Master Contributor
Joined
Nov 5, 2017
Messages
6,722
Likes
6,459
Location
Australia
When I factor in the AU charger and possible warranty hassles, the local deal looks OK.
 

jules

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
21
Likes
3
Location
UK
So do we ever think Amazon HD streaming at hi res or even 16/44k will happen? It's a shame since it's a good value service with more choice than tidal...
 

Julf

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 1, 2016
Messages
3,004
Likes
3,998
Location
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Julf

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 1, 2016
Messages
3,004
Likes
3,998
Location
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Dominique-T

Active Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Messages
104
Likes
93
Location
Cologne
Further to reading this post, I decided to try Roon in order to compare the audio quality with Jriver, using the same Chromecast audio. Roon is the clear winner... The sound (I cannot measure, but I trust Amirm) is better and the gapless is making a big difference. I might well go for Roon after the 14 days trial expire...
 

Willem

Major Contributor
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Messages
3,658
Likes
5,276
I cannot think of a reason why there should be a sonic difference.
 

Jimbob54

Grand Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Oct 25, 2019
Messages
11,066
Likes
14,697
Further to reading this post, I decided to try Roon in order to compare the audio quality with Jriver, using the same Chromecast audio. Roon is the clear winner... The sound (I cannot measure, but I trust Amirm) is better and the gapless is making a big difference. I might well go for Roon after the 14 days trial expire...
I noticed tidal through roon through chromecast sounded better than casting straight from tidal app. No idea why!
 

Julf

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 1, 2016
Messages
3,004
Likes
3,998
Location
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I noticed tidal through roon through chromecast sounded better than casting straight from tidal app. No idea why!

Level difference?
 

ENG

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 31, 2020
Messages
161
Likes
212
Location
Copenhagen, DK
I got a chromecast audio some times ago. But the SQ could not beat that of Moon MiND. So the chromecast is laying in the drawer.
 
Top Bottom