Cheap alternative to Chromecast Audio?

[skinnyq]

Hello,
CCA isn't available in my country and nobody ships it here.
Do you have any idea of something as cost-effective and as well-performing as the CCA I can buy to stream music from Spotify to my old AVR (has a built-in DAC but I am unsure if I should use it or buy a separate one).

 

[ahofer]

Raspberry pi solutions come closest, covered extensively in the ‘best streamer’ thread. I presume your AVR doesn’t have a USB in, which adds a ’hat’ to the Pi cost.

You might also get someone on the forum to snag a few CCA on eBay and send them to you.

 

[skinnyq]

Raspberry pi solutions come closest, covered extensively in the ‘best streamer’ thread. I presume your AVR doesn’t have a USB in, which adds a ’hat’ to the Pi cost.

You might also get someone on the forum to snag a few CCA on eBay and send them to you.

I just need the one .
Can you recommend a Raspberry Pi setup? What would I need exactly?

 

[drfous]

Allo DigiOne running MoOde Audio if you have Toslink.

you have to purchase the Pi separately.

 

[skinnyq]

Allo DigiOne running MoOde Audio if you have Toslink.

That's much more expensive than I'd like considering the CCA is $35...

 

[drfous]

Yep. If you have a usb into the Dac all you need is the pi.

 

[Webninja]

Hard to beat CCA for plug and play. Will no one on eBay ship to you? I’ve found many sellers will ship internally if you are willing to pay.

 

[skinnyq]

I mean I could probably get one for $85 but that's too much I would say.
As I have a Chromecast with Google TV already, how would an HDMI audio extractor work? Would the sound quality be worse?

 

[Jmudrick]

I mean I could probably get one for $85 but that's too much I would say.
As I have a Chromecast with Google TV already, how would an HDMI audio extractor work? Would the sound quality be worse?

Chromecast devices other than Chromecast Audio are limited to 24-48 output. Maybe that's fine or not.

Discussion here.

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/chromecast-sample-rates/45615/13

 

[ahofer]

For $85 you can get a pi4 with 4GB ram, a nice case, and a power supply. All you need is a micro-SD card and a USB cord and you are good to go. This is way over-specified for what you need but I happened to have this shopping basket open. If you need a 'HAT' for SPDIF output, that will cost you another $30-40.

There are several downloads to set up the Pi for Spotify. I don't use Spotify, so I haven't tried them. Raspotify, pimusicbox, etc. Darko says Volumio works with Spotify, altho I hadn't seen that.

I'm a Roon user, so I use Ropiee.

 

[bigx5murf]

That's much more expensive than I'd like considering the CCA is $35...

CCA has not been $35 here since it's been discontinued. $50-90 is more the norm for new sealed units.

 

[Willem]

I think $85 is still a bargain for something that works so well. It is a real shame Google discontinued it.

 

[ahofer]

https://www.ebay.com/p/217053957

 

[abdo123]

Budget transparent solution: Raspberry pi 4 and Hifiberry Digi+ Pro. (100-120$ for everything you need)

For more money you can get the Allo Digione and raspberry pi 4 for roughly 200$ for everything you need.

Allo sells pre-built players too with a tiny premium.

 

[MediumRare]

I have bought 4 recently for 45 to 50 USD each on EBay. I have a multi room setup and it works very well. Where are you? The guy I bought 3 of mine from ships internationally.

 

[skinnyq]

I have bought 4 recently for 45 to 50 USD each on EBay. I have a multi room setup and it works very well. Where are you? The guy I bought 3 of mine from ships internationally.

I think the same guy ships it here (Israel) but for $33! That's around $85 for one, like I said, which frankly seems like too much for a $35 device.

 

[MediumRare]

I think the same guy ships it here (Israel) but for $33! That's around $85 for one, like I said, which frankly seems like too much for a $35 device.

My humble advice is to forget what it cost a few years ago and consider what it does for you and what alternatives you have.

 

[RC231]

dayton wba31 might work for you. I tried it and got crackling over toslink and ended buying a new receiver instead. they are ~$40 and have BT, wifi streaming over an app and spotify connect. I have an extra from a warranty replacement I can send Amir if there is interest
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...etooth-audio-receiver-with-ir-remote--300-597

 

[Deleted member 22273]

Mi box s !

 

[skinnyq]

Mi box s !

Mi Box S needs to be connected to a monitor, though, doesn't it?