audiomagnate
Addicted Member
Chromecast Audio($35.00) + HiFi Cast (a $1.99 phone app) + your computer.
Yes!
This is recent. I am old school and never had a TV on when I listened to music. (unless it was a sporting event, volume off, on the tube and music from from the stereo.
So just last month, my daughter came home from college and as I had tickets to take her to see Handel's Messiah a week later and she was unfamiliar with it, I suggested we listen together in the living room.
As I had a brand new SACD of the work, I went to place it on. She politely asked if a DVD or Blu-Ray were available so watch. I had none but found it on YouTube and streamed it to the TV.
She was right, it is so much better to have visuals.
Now, I know you are going to say, "but Tidal and streaming from your audio media server does not provide visual performances."
True, but they do provide into on the pieces or songs being performed. And I find that more convenient to view there than on my phone or pad.
Sorry for the long story but having the TV on while listening to music has been a breakthrough for me that I wanted to share given your question.
Chromecast Audio($35.00) + HiFi Cast (a $1.99 phone app) + your computer.
How about this?
Can I put a ROKU app on Amazon Fire?
or forget Roku and put are all the apps I need available on Fire?
The Oppo can also play directly from network shares, which is how I often use it. If not, it's JRiver from a computer to play via DLNA, since I have all sorts of filters and playlists set up there. I have the 105 but I am thinking the 103 does the same. I did not want to even consider the Sonica DAC but, now that it is available for preorder, if it has improved streaming features, I very well may be interested in it. I may even take one for the team and order an early model.And streamers will leave you without (the need for) JRiver.
I have an Oppo 103 which accesses my digital library through DLNA. The playback interface, however, is on the Oppo.
It depends on the situation, also. Primarily, I don't even want a TV on in the listening room, unless we are playing the game system. I find video distracting from the music. Yet in the rare event I want to see a live concert, it goes without saying that it is far better with visuals.Sorry for the long story but having the TV on while listening to music has been a breakthrough for me that I wanted to share given your question.
There are three Chromecasts. The standard Chromecast is 1080p, HDMI, does video. Chromecast Ultra supports 4k video, also uses HDMI. Chromecast Audio is an audio-only device, with a 3.5mm stereo output jack with both analog and S/PDIF digital capabilities (using a special cable)--that is the one which @audiomagnate refers to in his post, so it is not even video-capable. If you want 4K, you will need the Chromecast Ultra. (And of course, a device with an HDMI input.)Why is Chromecast superior to Amazon Fire, yet is half the price?
Is the TV always in the mix when you listen to Tidal? That might be making a difference.
I would likely get a Chromecast Audio and use the digital output to feed into the Sonica since it is a DAC.
Chromecast Audio doesn't have a digital output. If you want to use your own DAC, you have to use the HDMI output on an original or 2015 Chromecast. The Oppo 105 or the Essence HDMI DAC are both good choices.
Also? We're saying the same thing. My "digital library" is merely a shared folder.The Oppo can also play directly from network shares, which is how I often use it.
I thought the same thing at first--there can't be an optical out because it only has one jack! That's the first time I've ever seen that type of optical digital output before. But it must be used on other devices, since it is not a new or unique format.I'll be damned. I stand corrected. I never scrolled that far down before.
I'll be damned. I stand corrected. I never scrolled that far down before. Does it pass 24/96? I like using the original and 2015 with an HDMI DAC because of the 24/192 capability, but Chromecast Audio analog out sound extremely good to my ears.
I'll be damned. I stand corrected.
Airport Express users have been smiling for years with this feature.I thought the same thing at first--there can't be an optical out because it only has one jack!
+1You may want to take a look at the Nvidia Shield.