TrevorD
Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2021
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Hi Folks - my first post here so please be kind . This is a long post, so I will put my conclusion at the start so you don't have to read through it all.
Goal:
I wanted to see if the Chromecast Ultra (CCU) and Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV) can be used as audio streamers without having to connect them to an AVR or TV through HDMI. My use case is to see if I can use these as audio streamers in my bedroom and the kitchen and send the audio from the Chromecast to a DAC or to a powered speaker through some type of intermediate device.
Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV) as an audio streamer over USB to DAC:
It seems that the CCwGTV is able to output 96khz PCM to a DAC connected to USB hub that is also connected to the CCwGTV.
Although everything seems to work well, the audio volume output by the CCwGTV is very low compared with connecting the DAC to the USB output of a Windows 10 PC. My Topping headphone amplifier can drive my headphones to a very uncomfortably loud level when the DAC is receiving audio from the USB output of my PC. When connected to the CCwGTV, even at full volume with a 9db boost set on the headphone amplifier, the sound is not as loud as I would like it to be. Not good.
Another thing that works against this as an audio streamer solution is that I have not found any specification from Google as to what the CCwGTV officially supports from a digital output, and who knows if the CCwGTV would still be able to output 96khz digital in the future. Google has a reputation for removing undocumented features from their products.
Other than these 2 issues, it works really well as a way to cast Tidal and Qobuz at 96khz Hi Res.
Chromecast Ultra as an audio streamer using an HDMI audio extractor:
This works well to extract audio at 48khz and send to a DAC over TOSLINK or Digital Coax. The Chromecast Ultra is no longer sold, but I assume the 3rd generation Chromecast will work in the same way. I have this running in my bedroom with an HDMI extractor and my Topping L30/E30 combo to my headphones and am very happy with the experience.
For the kitchen I will use the analogue audio coming out of the HDMI audio extractor so I don't need a DAC, this will go straight into a powered speaker.
The price of a Chromecast 3G and HDMI audio extractor together is about $70 AU ($50 US or 30 GBP)
The Testing:
Both of these Chromecast devices have only HDMI output:
Here are the components:
Chrome-casting from apps on Samsung Galaxy S7 Android Smart-Phone to CCwGTV
Qobuz App:
Pink Floyd Money 96kzh to CCwGTV -- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Roxy Music Avalon CD Quality --- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
The Qobuz App on this phone will only displays 96KHZ as the maximum available for any track.
Tidal App:
Pink Floyd Money Master Quality to CCwGTV -- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Roxy Music Avalon HiFI Quality --- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
YouTube App:
A variety of random videos – Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Testing the CCU
Here are the components:
Goal:
I wanted to see if the Chromecast Ultra (CCU) and Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV) can be used as audio streamers without having to connect them to an AVR or TV through HDMI. My use case is to see if I can use these as audio streamers in my bedroom and the kitchen and send the audio from the Chromecast to a DAC or to a powered speaker through some type of intermediate device.
Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV) as an audio streamer over USB to DAC:
It seems that the CCwGTV is able to output 96khz PCM to a DAC connected to USB hub that is also connected to the CCwGTV.
Although everything seems to work well, the audio volume output by the CCwGTV is very low compared with connecting the DAC to the USB output of a Windows 10 PC. My Topping headphone amplifier can drive my headphones to a very uncomfortably loud level when the DAC is receiving audio from the USB output of my PC. When connected to the CCwGTV, even at full volume with a 9db boost set on the headphone amplifier, the sound is not as loud as I would like it to be. Not good.
Another thing that works against this as an audio streamer solution is that I have not found any specification from Google as to what the CCwGTV officially supports from a digital output, and who knows if the CCwGTV would still be able to output 96khz digital in the future. Google has a reputation for removing undocumented features from their products.
Other than these 2 issues, it works really well as a way to cast Tidal and Qobuz at 96khz Hi Res.
Chromecast Ultra as an audio streamer using an HDMI audio extractor:
This works well to extract audio at 48khz and send to a DAC over TOSLINK or Digital Coax. The Chromecast Ultra is no longer sold, but I assume the 3rd generation Chromecast will work in the same way. I have this running in my bedroom with an HDMI extractor and my Topping L30/E30 combo to my headphones and am very happy with the experience.
For the kitchen I will use the analogue audio coming out of the HDMI audio extractor so I don't need a DAC, this will go straight into a powered speaker.
The price of a Chromecast 3G and HDMI audio extractor together is about $70 AU ($50 US or 30 GBP)
The Testing:
Both of these Chromecast devices have only HDMI output:
- The CCwGTV has a USB-C connection and can be connected to a powered USB hub, and when doing so can access USB storage devices and USB Audio devices - i.e. a DAC. I could extract the audio using USB to DAC or using an HDMI audio extractor.
- The CCU has a micro USB connection for power and ethernet connection through the bundled power supply. I could extract the audio using an HDMI audio extractor.
Here are the components:
- Google Chromecast with Google TV ( CCwGTV ) with original power supply and USB-A to USB-C cable
- LENTION 3-in-1 USB-C Hub ($27 AU) https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08GR16GC8
- Topping E30 DAC
- Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier
- USB-A to USB-B Cable ( Connects USB-C Hub to Topping DAC)
- A smart phone with audio app that supports Chromecast. I used a Samsung S7 Edge with Qobuz and Tidal apps
- The CCwGTV power adapter connects to the USB-C port of the Lention USB hub using the GCwGTV USB-A to USB-C cable
- The Lention Hub Hard wired USB-C cable connects to the CCwGTV USB-C port
- The Lention Hub USB-A port connects the the Topping DAC USB-B port with USB-A to USB-B cable (Supplied with the DAC)
- The Topping DAC and Headphone AMP are connected over a pair of RCA Audio cables
- Headphones are connected over 3.5mm Audio connection to Topping Headphone Amp.
- The HDMI output connection from the CCwGTV is not connected to anything
Chrome-casting from apps on Samsung Galaxy S7 Android Smart-Phone to CCwGTV
Qobuz App:
Pink Floyd Money 96kzh to CCwGTV -- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Roxy Music Avalon CD Quality --- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
The Qobuz App on this phone will only displays 96KHZ as the maximum available for any track.
Tidal App:
Pink Floyd Money Master Quality to CCwGTV -- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Roxy Music Avalon HiFI Quality --- Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
YouTube App:
A variety of random videos – Topping DAC displays 96khz PCM
Testing the CCU
Here are the components:
- Google Chromecast Ultra ( CCU ) with original power supply
- Tendak 4K x 2K HDMI to HDMI and Optical TOSLINK SPDIF + 3.5mm Stereo Audio Extractor Converter ($30 AU) https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B017B6WFP8
- Topping E30 DAC
- Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier
- USB-A to USB-B Cable ( Connects USB-C Hub to Topping DAC)
- A smart phone with audio app that supports Chromecast. I used a Samsung S7 Edge with Qobuz and Tidal apps
- The CCU is powered by the power supply that comes with the CCU over a micro-usb connection
- The Tendak HDMI Audio extractor HDMI input connects to the HDMI output of the CCU
- The Tendak HDMI Audio extractor TOSLINK output connects to the TOSLINK input o the Topping DAC
- The Topping DAC and Headphone AMP are connected over a pair of RCA Audio cables
- Headphones are connected over 3.5mm Audio connection to Topping Headphone Amp.