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Chromecast and external DAC

I’m trying to set up a budget system to stream Tidal and Chromecast Audio caught my attention. I have a Schiit Multibit on the way and was wondering if anyone uses Chromecast Audio as the streaming source and if so, have you tried using an external DAC with it. It apparently has optical and a micro USB ports and I would be interested in using the USB port on the Modi.
Anyone tried such a set up? How’s the sound quality?
Thanks in advance.
128x128kalali
willemj
1,036 posts
 
The Chromecast Audio can also stream from your laptop if you use BubbleUPnP.
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

So I waited until I got the optical cable to give some more feedback on my experience with Chromecast Audio. In the meantime I let the Modi to soak in and also got the cable adapter to connect my iPhone to the USB port on the Modi. Streaming the same song using Tidal HiFi, the sound quality using the iPhone -> USB is clearly better than the Chromecast using the optical output and significantly better than the Chromecast analog output. The analog output is noticeably more veiled in comparison. I’m of course using different cables for each scenario but they are all moderately priced so that should not be a factor. The optical and USB ports on the Modi also appear to have similar specs. Anyway, I still say its worth the $35 selling price just for the convenience it adds to stream wirelessly but in my set up and to my ears, the phone/tablet -> USB connection is far superior.

I was tempted to take it downstairs and do a comparison with my Bluesound Node 2 in my main system but I figured it would ultimately be pointless since there are too many differences between the two set ups to draw any meaningful conclusions. Everything from a dedicated 20 amp circuit and power conditioner to cables and speakers and everything in between is different.

loomisjohnson
1,949 posts
 
kalalai, i'd actually be curious to hear how the chrome compares to the node in the same syetme--if you want to take one for the team, let us know...
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kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
Will gladly oblige. I’ll just take the Node2 upstairs and swap it with the CC. 
By the way, those of you who have an iPhone and a DAC, owe it to yourselves to try it with the camera adapter cable USB connection. It sounds incredibly good streaming Tidal HiFi. 
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
Lot easier than I expected. Node 2 sounds more crisp with more detail and overall just a bit livelier but only a little bit. Definitely not day and night difference and certainly not 15 times better but clearly audible nonetheless. Part of it could be the difference in cables but I think the difference is more than just cables. 
I still think the hardwired USB iPhone connection is better by a tad. Certainly cannot blame it on my WiFi sincespeedtest just showed 208 Mb/s download speed 
loomisjohnson, thanks for the encouragement. I would have continued to wonder how they compared. 
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