Brief Overview of Some HDMI Audio Extractors

[ascorbyl]

If this is in the wrong forum, please do move it to the right place.

Since Google pulled the plug on the Chromecast Audio, I decided to order a few different HDMI audio extractors to see how they would be as a replacement by using them in conjunction with a regular Chromecast. I only tested using Spotify, and not video sources such as a movie or a TV show, so there may be video lag introduced by these units.

I ordered 3 of them from Amazon, and have outlined my thoughts on them below.

• https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07BHKHP7P/
  • analog output has quite a bit of noticeable noise at loud listening levels
  • optical output works fine
  • did not test the coaxial digital output (but this is the only unit I bought that has a coaxial digital output)
  • plugging or unplugging the HDMI cable will cause a pop in the analog out, and stop playback for a couple seconds (seems normal across all three units)
  • HDMI output works fine
  • no HDMI pass-through
• https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07D7YR1NR/
  • analog output has a very quiet noise at very loud listening levels
  • didn't test optical out, but light was on and should be fine
  • HDMI did not work on my unit, so wasn't able to test the HDMI pass-through either
  • was able to get power via the HDMI port through my Chromecast... not sure if this is normal behaviour
• https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07GZHPS6C/
  • analog out has no noticeable noise (hiss from my receiver is louder than any noise from the actual unit itself)
  • didn't test optical out, but light was on and should be fine
  • has air vents on the sides
  • comes with 2 additional cables: 5ft optical cable, male 3.5mm to female RCA adapter
  • has just HDMI input on one side (looks cleaner IMO)
  • HDMI output works fine
  • no pass-through option

I think most, if not all, of these units are re-branded Chinese units. Number 3 I'm unsure about since I haven't seen other listings of it on Amazon.

I ended up using the 3rd one, due to the noise-free analog out, clean look, and air vents on the side. I don't feel the need to spend any extra cash to get a lower noise floor.

 

[bigx5murf]

I think I have the second one you link. It has a tendency to cause video lag when trying to pass 1080p sources as well.

 

[gvl]

Does the regular Chromecast resample Spotify to 48kHz or possibly higher?

 

[Willem]

My DAC tells me that the Spotify output through the CCA is 44.1 kHz. Tunin internet radio comes in at 48kHz

 

[Willem]

Do you mean the video Chromecast?

 

[ascorbyl]

Do you mean the video Chromecast?

Yes

 

[Willem]

Will have to figure out how to use the Spotify app for that streamer/my TV. If and when I stream Spotify I use the CCA.

 

[ascorbyl]

Will have to figure out how to use the Spotify app for that streamer/my TV. If and when I stream Spotify I use the CCA.

Should be exactly the same as the CCA as far as I know, but you might need to use the optical output from your TV I guess. Thanks for testing!

 

[LumbermanSVO]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009KAU0WO/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this in my car, it defaults to 2 channel mode for the digital outs. I use it to get a digital signal from my iPhone to the DSP.

The only problem I've had is it won't work when frozen.

 

[tlr]

I wonder if you could use these with a Raspberry Pi instead of a Chromecast. The Raspberry Pi Zero W is only $10.

 

[BillG]

I've been thinking about such a solution for myself, if my CcA every dies, and I can't obtain another at a reasonable price.

Thanks...