Some possibly stupid questions (I apologize):
1. The Google Chrome browser casting compression affects both analog and optical output options, right? Because the compression happens before the signal reaches the Chromecast Audio dongle?
2. What about Google Play Music android app on my phone? Safe to stream from that to avoid the high level of compression? Or should I be looking into alternative apps, such as the aforementioned Hi-Fi cast?
I've uploaded my music collection to my Google Music library, and it includes a lot of FLAC and 320kbps MP3s, so I'd like to have good streaming options for my remote living room set up. For truly critical listening, I have a wired connection from my computer and also good headphones/DAP/amp. The living room just has a "lowly" Pioneer VSX-532 receiver with stereo Def Tech speakers where I will be connecting my second Chromecast Audio. It needs to be "good enough" for pleasant though not necessarily highly critical listening. I might well be erroneously assuming that the DAC in VSX-532 is better than one in Chromecast Audio, but I thought I'd try optical connection to it too.