Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Analog Performance

[Jimster480]

has anyone tested this against a Modi 2 Uber? I know that thing measures horrible. I'm trying to decide if it's worth selling the Modi and just using the analog output of the Chromecast.

There is a measurement of the chromecast audio output. Check that against the measurement of the Modi 2 uber.

Generally Schiit products have been horrible through USB, but through optical it may be a different story.

 

[trotos]

hi all,
how exactly one can use roon/volumio or anything else to drive chromecast? what is the connection? I use it to connect spotify to it, or other streaming app from my android phone via wi-fi? are there more audio friendly options?

 

[AndrovichIV]

hi all,
how exactly one can use roon/volumio or anything else to drive chromecast? what is the connection? I use it to connect spotify to it, or other streaming app from my android phone via wi-fi? are there more audio friendly options?

Just "cast" from your source to the chromecast. The chromecast uses WiFi (also can use ethernet if you buy the optional power source with ethernet).
I'd say chromecast is the most user friendly out of all the alternatives.

 

[trotos]

Just "cast" from your source to the chromecast. The chromecast uses WiFi (also can use ethernet if you buy the optional power source with ethernet).
I'd say chromecast is the most user friendly out of all the alternatives.

OK, I though that you could connect it to lets say raspberry's usb port and use it as DAC. Also it appears that a coaxial/toslink/optical can be used? Again I am confused, nothing like that in mine.

 

[Jimster480]

OK, I though that you could connect it to lets say raspberry's usb port and use it as DAC. Also it appears that a coaxial/toslink/optical can be used? Again I am confused, nothing like that in mine.

There was a chromecast audio version which could output TOSlink via Optical which you could then pipe into a DAC and whatever else you wanted... but they discontinued chromecast audio now.

 

[AndrovichIV]

OK, I though that you could connect it to lets say raspberry's usb port and use it as DAC. Also it appears that a coaxial/toslink/optical can be used? Again I am confused, nothing like that in mine.

The Chromecast audio can output either digital through Toslink or analog through RCA. In both cases the input on the Chromecast is the 3.5 mm connection. If you already have a Chromecast you need a 3.5 mm to Toslink cable to connect to a DAC.

 

[jeroboam]

 

[jeroboam]

The Chromecast audio can output either digital through Toslink or analog through RCA. In both cases the input on the Chromecast is the 3.5 mm connection. If you already have a Chromecast you need a 3.5 mm to Toslink cable to connect to a DAC.

Im using the one shown above many others are availabile.

 

[Jimster480]

Has google said anything about how long the chromecast audio will be supported for?

 

[Willem]

No but the protocol is built into many Chromecast compatible devices.

 

[AndrovichIV]

Has google said anything about how long the chromecast audio will be supported for?

couldn't find any info. My guess is maybe 2022 or so. at some point it will no longer receive updates or will receive an update that bricks it, like the one they send for certain nest devices. In either case, one day the cast protocol will change and the chromecast will no longer work

 

[trotos]

and then there is always the xda-developers that will always provide us with functioned custom rom.

 

[Willem]

I am sure that would happen if Google pulled the plug. If not, there will be alternatives like the HK.

 

[AndrovichIV]

and then there is always the xda-developers that will always provide us with functioned custom rom.

I'm not sure if it's even possible to develop custom ROMs for the Chromecast. Depends on how locked it is

 

[AndrovichIV]

I am sure that would happen if Google pulled the plug. If not, there will be alternatives like the HK.

Google will pull the plug. The question is when

 

[BillG]

Google will pull the plug. The question is when

Given the number of devices being released currently with Chromecast built-in, I don't see that happening anytime in the near future...

 

[AndrovichIV]

Given the number of devices being released currently with Chromecast built-in, I don't see that happening anytime in the near future...

Each device has it's own firmware and software. At some point there will be an update to the Chromecast protocol and this device will not be updated

 

[Willem]

We don't know. In Google's press release they said they would continue to support the CCA.

 

[BillG]

Each device has it's own firmware and software

Let's dissect this for a moment: Each device is accessed and controlled via Google Home, regardless of whether it's Chromecast Audio, or Generation 1, 2, or 3 Video, the Ultra, or Chromecast built-in. As for the firmware, they all run some variant of Chrome OS.

Given my experience as a consulting software engineer, I feel quite confident that the firmware simply disables various codecs based upon the state of some hardware register, which would inform it as the whether the device actually supports audio/video or just audio. That's exactly how I'd code it if I were in charge of the project, as it would make everyone's job much easier only having to maintain one code base across various dongles.

Based upon all the above, I'm quite confident that the protocol, and the various dongles that utilize it, will be usable for years, if not decades, to come...

 

[GGroch]

It appears the not yet released new Google Nest Mini may be a suitable ChromeCast Audio Replacement.

A 3.5mm stereo analog output added. It will probably lack the optical output, but if the new Nest Mini measures as well as the CCA analog outs, there would be little difference in sound quality.