How does this Chromecast thingy work again?

[Mikeandvan]

After asking about streaming here about 5 yrs ok, I bought a Chromecast thingy and am only now thinking I'd quite like to listen through it. So please briefly, how is it done? I have an integrated amp - Sugden a21a sig, a dac, an optical cable, etc etc

[Lawrence001]

I think you need Google Home on your phone and it will sense the CCA and pretty much set it up for you. You want a mini optical cable to a dac to get the best quality sound. I think for me Qobuz had an option to cast to the CCA in the mobile app but it's been a while since I used it.

You've just made me think it might be a good back up for the Wam show in case of streaming issues.

[Mikeandvan]

I think you need Google Home on your phone and it will sense the CCA and pretty much set it up for you. You want a mini optical cable to a dac to get the best quality sound. I think for me Qobuz had an option to cast to the CCA in the mobile app but it's been a while since I used it.

You've just made me think it might be a good back up for the Wam show in case of streaming issues.

Thanks Lawrence, I'd like to use my laptop though, and for now anyway just sites like Youtube.

[Lawrence001]

So you need to cast it maybe you tube has a cast option in the app.

[kirstysdad]

So you need to cast it maybe you tube has a cast option in the app.

Or cast from Spotify... I am doing it and typing at the same time right now!!

[Lawrence001]

Or cast from Spotify... I am doing it and typing at the same time right now!!Not sure I tried that can you cast with a free account?

[Mikeandvan]

So I bought a mini Toslink cable off Amazon today, should arrive tomorrow. Wouldn't mind getting a Spotify account set up, it's not expensive is it?

[Sherwood]

So I bought a mini Toslink cable off Amazon today, should arrive tomorrow. Wouldn't mind getting a Spotify account set up, it's not expensive is it?

Not expensive but not the best quality. Amazon had an offer of 4 month free. May still be available. Better SQ by far.

[Mikeandvan]

Not expensive but not the best quality. Amazon had an offer of 4 month free. May still be available. Better SQ by far.

Amazon offer streaming too? Why am I even surprised at that!

[struth]

Amazon offer streaming too? Why am I even surprised at that!

100 mil songs apparently.. about a tenner a month

[Sherwood]

I've tried most of the music streaming services. Tidal is very good but pricey. Spotify has a very good user interface but falls short on quality. They have been promising lossless streaming for ages but have failed to deliver. Qobuz is good but I didn't like the interface.

Amazon took a while to get there but in my opinion now offers the best balance of price, quality and user interface.

[struth]

I've tried most of the music streaming services. Tidal is very good but pricey. Spotify has a very good user interface but falls short on quality. They have been promising lossless streaming for ages but have failed to deliver. Qobuz is good but I didn't like the interface.

Amazon took a while to get there but in my opinion now offers the best balance of price, quality and user interface.

not sure its as good as qobuz but its not available to link into roon so makes it less interesting to many

[Sherwood]

I doubt if those looking for an affordable streaming service would be Roon user's.

[struth]

I doubt if those looking for an affordable streaming service would be Roon user's.

i might have..

[Mikeandvan]

Got my toslink, all set up hardware wise, now I suppose I have to install some chromecast software on my laptop............

[struth]

Got my toslink, all set up hardware wise, now I suppose I have to install some chromecast software on my laptop............

use chrome web browser. add the cast extension if its not already added. then your good to go

ps you click cast on anything you want to cast. its usually up top right

[Mikeandvan]

use chrome web browser. add the cast extension if its not already added. then your good to go

ps you click cast on anything you want to cast. its usually up top right

How do I add the cast extension ? ? ?

[struth]

How do I add the cast extension ? ? ?

use the chrome web store. it should be listed under the dots or lines up top. its an extension. it appears up top

[Mikeandvan]

I give up. I found the cast thing, it says 'look for devices', but found no devices. fuck!!

[struth]

Might need to restart the pc etc, for it to show up.
I usually used the phone to set up but things might have changed since.
I still have one but rarely use it now.

[Mikeandvan]

Damn it, can't get nuffink working, back to vinyl.

[Mikeandvan]

Apparently I need the Google Home app, but I can't seem to download it, or I already have it and can't access it, why is this shit always so fucking difficult?

[Mikeandvan]

After all this shit, Google home can't be used on laptops!!!!! Time to switch to my pissing phone, fucking fuck fuck fuckety fuck, I'm calling an Infitada, I'm raging.

[Mikeandvan]

Connected to the phone, like piss easy, fucking ell.

[Metlor]

Can I recommend that you don't try Qobuz via Moode audio, via Bubble UPnp through an Allo usb streamer.

The sound quality is great, but your head may explode trying to set the thing up. ��

[Swann36]

Can I recommend that you don't try Qobuz via Moode audio, via Bubble UPnp through an Allo usb streamer.

The sound quality is great, but your head may explode trying to set the thing up. ��

That looks like good advice

[Metlor]

Thankfully my Mrs sorted it in about ten minutes after a few hours of failure and profanity on my part.

[Mikeandvan]

Thankfully my Mrs sorted it in about ten minutes after a few hours of failure and profanity on my part.

I was thinking just the same, as I managed to set up Amazon music on my phone, got it all connected, but the sound was shite, really quiet and unclear. This streaming ain't worth it unless you do it properly.

[Sherwood]

I was thinking just the same, as I managed to set up Amazon music on my phone, got it all connected, but the sound was shite, really quiet and unclear. This streaming ain't worth it unless you do it properly.

Have you checked the Amazon Music settings to ensure you have streaming set to maximum quality?

BTW if you are listening on your phone the SQ will not be great anyway.

[struth]

May be a VC in the software too as well as the phone one

[Metlor]

I did use a Chromecast audio very happily and successfully for several years running the digital output into my dac.
For their second hand price they really are amazing value.

[Mikeandvan]

The chromecast does not work on laptops!!

[struth]

it will once set up

[Macca]

The chromecast does not work on laptops!!

How does it know it's connected to a laptop not a desktop? They're the exact same thing. You have to be doing something wrong.

Thread is a good advert for why it's just easier to play a record or a CD. Or even, God forbid, a cassette tape.

How anyone has the patience to get this stuff up and running just to listen to a record is beyond me.

[CageyH]

I found the setup relatively easy. A little more complicated than a CD, but not extremely complicated to do.
I am tempted by a Wim Pro +, which I think will be a big step up from a Chromecast audio, but I am not sure it will improve on my PC.

[Puffin]

Not sure I tried that can you cast with a free account?

Yes, I have done it and if you use Google Home you can vary the volume control and they give you treble and bass boost and cut.

[Puffin]

Chromecast works on my laptop and desktop with Spotify. You just click the icon where it says "use this computer" or "connect to chromecast" you don't have to use Google home.

[Sherwood]

I am not sure what the problem is. I have used this device without a single problem on pcs, tablets and phones.

Sometimes you just need to read the instructions or at least watch one of the many YouTube videos on the subject.

[Lawrence001]

I was thinking just the same, as I managed to set up Amazon music on my phone, got it all connected, but the sound was shite, really quiet and unclear. This streaming ain't worth it unless you do it properly.Is this via the CCA? I'm surprised it doesn't sound good through Toslink.

[Kember]

I am not sure what the problem is. I have used this device without a single problem on pcs, tablets and phones.

Sometimes you just need to read the instructions or at least watch one of the many YouTube videos on the subject.

I agree. I’ve got it running the hires Qobuz service and BBC Sounds without any problem at all. It’s even better with a DAC but it’s currently in my kitchen running the 3.5 mm stereo output through a billy basic passive preamp into a Quad 99 power amp.

[Mikeandvan]

How does it know it's connected to a laptop not a desktop? They're the exact same thing. You have to be doing something wrong.

Thread is a good advert for why it's just easier to play a record or a CD. Or even, God forbid, a cassette tape.

How anyone has the patience to get this stuff up and running just to listen to a record is beyond me.

Yer, think I'll stick to just getting cheapo cds off ebay, along with some LPs which I prefer to listen to on vinyl - usually 60s rock, which on CD can be way too strident.

[dave2010]

We have a Denon set up in the kitchen - quite good - really intended for casual listening while working etc. The SQ is adequate for the intended purposes. I have better kit located in other rooms.

After having it [the Denon] for a few years I discovered I can use the Bluetooth feature to stream from iPads, though I'm not sure that the SQ is always that good.
Useful to have that though.

It also has a couple of optical inputs, so I wonder if I can use one of the Chromecast devices I still have to do streaming.

I do have regular Chromecast devices and a couple of Chromecast Audio units, but I'm not sure if they're supported in any way now.
If I can use those, it could save me money, but would it be frustrating trying to get them to work? As I recall, the problem may be that there isn't really any supported software now.

I have had these working in the past - but things move on. I also had several Logitech streaming units which were very good, but then Logitech pulled the plug on them too - even though I think the software still works - but I've not used that for years either.
As I recall I do have one computer which worked as a viable music server and I ripped a lot of CDs onto that one with those Logitech Touch devices.

I don't particularly want to "have" to buy yet another streaming device if I've already got several which could be put back into service.

[peterdh]

We have a Denon set up in the kitchen - quite good - really intended for casual listening while working etc. The SQ is adequate for the intended purposes. I have better kit located in other rooms.

After having it [the Denon] for a few years I discovered I can use the Bluetooth feature to stream from iPads, though I'm not sure that the SQ is always that good.
Useful to have that though.

It also has a couple of optical inputs, so I wonder if I can use one of the Chromecast devices I still have to do streaming.

I do have regular Chromecast devices and a couple of Chromecast Audio units, but I'm not sure if they're supported in any way now.
If I can use those, it could save me money, but would it be frustrating trying to get them to work? As I recall, the problem may be that there isn't really any supported software now.

I have had these working in the past - but things move on. I also had several Logitech streaming units which were very good, but then Logitech pulled the plug on them too - even though I think the software still works - but I've not used that for years either.
As I recall I do have one computer which worked as a viable music server and I ripped a lot of CDs onto that one with those Logitech Touch devices.

I don't particularly want to "have" to buy yet another streaming device if I've already got several which could be put back into service.



I use a Chromecast Audio via an optical out into a DAC (a Beresford). I have found that support for the CCA has actually improved in recent years. For example my new Pixel phone allows me to "cast" without any additional software as does my Samsung tablet. Radio Paradise has a "cast" button built in. All very easy. The big problem I had recently when setting up my new phone to talk to the CCA was to ensure that the CCA and the phone were logged into the same wifi network in the house. Having done that set up was a doddle. I don't see why you couldn't plug your CCA into your Denon and have a play. Should be easy enough.

[dave2010]

Thanks for replying. I guess I'll have to wire in one of the Chromecast units I have to test whether I can get it to work with the latest software and control devices. The big thing that would have over using Bluetooth to "cast" from an iPhone or iPad would be that the audio wouldn't be compromised by the Bluetooth link.

A similar approach seems to be used in Apple's Facetime - which I only used for the first time a few days ago. Although immediately it looks as though connections are done via a mobile phone link, somehow that is only used to direct data, and the actual data transfer of the video and audio is done via broadband connections - whcih most of us are already paying for anyway. The mobile phone does not need to be connected once the set up has been done.

[kirstysdad]

I use a Chromecast Audio via an optical out into a DAC (a Beresford). I have found that support for the CCA has actually improved in recent years. For example my new Pixel phone allows me to "cast" without any additional software as does my Samsung tablet. Radio Paradise has a "cast" button built in. All very easy. The big problem I had recently when setting up my new phone to talk to the CCA was to ensure that the CCA and the phone were logged into the same wifi network in the house. Having done that set up was a doddle. I don't see why you couldn't plug your CCA into your Denon and have a play. Should be easy enough.

If you want a boost to the performance of the CCA puck try powering it with a 5V battery power pack (like you charge a phone with) rather than the mains, makes a heck of an improvement...