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ReggieB
23-01-2015, 15:02
I have a number of ways of connecting my phone and tablet to my hi-fi (most successfully via DLNA to my Marantz N7001) but I've struggled to wirelessly connect my Ubuntu laptop to my hi-fi. However, my laptop streams to Chromecast. So I had an idea.

I've bought one of these HDMI to RCA converters (http://www.wiksonelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=145)
http://www.wiksonelectronics.com/image/cache/data/electronics-Extractor-Converter-TosLink-Version-black%2065015/main-600x550.jpg

Plugged the Chromecast into that, set it to 2 channel only, and away we go. It works a treat.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_c6T_uEX-d4/VMJhDBynAHI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/gbMKtAZ2lHU/w346-h230/chromecast_and_hdmi_rca_converter.JPG

It's not the greatest hi-fi (thinner sound, narrower and shallower sound-stage), but the music sounds far better than it did via my laptop speakers.

I am finding more and more new artists/music via youtube, so its a fun way to find new stuff. Once found I can then track down higher fidelity sources.

So I can find and listen to interesting new artists:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivZnIZs59Oc

Or otherwise difficult to get recordings of old favourites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra_uv0uIY-g

RichB
23-01-2015, 16:10
I have a number of ways of connecting my phone and tablet to my hi-fi (most successfully via DLNA to my Marantz N7001) but I've struggled to wirelessly connect my Ubuntu laptop to my hi-fi. However, my laptop streams to Chromecast. So I had an idea.

I've bought one of these HDMI to RCA converters (http://www.wiksonelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=145)
http://www.wiksonelectronics.com/image/cache/data/electronics-Extractor-Converter-TosLink-Version-black%2065015/main-600x550.jpg

Plugged the Chromecast into that, set it to 2 channel only, and away we go. It works a treat.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_c6T_uEX-d4/VMJhDBynAHI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/gbMKtAZ2lHU/w346-h230/chromecast_and_hdmi_rca_converter.JPG

It's not the greatest hi-fi (thinner sound, narrower and shallower sound-stage), but the music sounds far better than it did via my laptop speakers.

I am finding more and more new artists/music via youtube, so its a fun way to find new stuff. Once found I can then track down higher fidelity sources.

So I can find and listen to interesting new artists:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivZnIZs59Oc

Or otherwise difficult to get recordings of old favourites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra_uv0uIY-g

I use my Chromecast into the HDMI slot on the TV, then optical out from the TV to the DAC using a decent length cable. Sounds fine to me.

ReggieB
23-01-2015, 21:56
My TV is in a different room to my hi-fi.

RichB
23-01-2015, 22:25
I have a pal who uses a Bluetooth sender to quite good effect with his projector to send audio to his hifi.

ReggieB
23-01-2015, 22:49
Yes, I tried that, but my laptop's bluetooth wouldn't twin with my Musical Fidlity V90-BLU is a Bluetooth receiver. It's fine for my phone and tablet, but not my Linux laptop.