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Chromecast Audio in an Apple ecosystem

bscepter

bscepter

Active Member
I just ordered a NOS Chromecast Audio as a way to stream Spotify via my iPhone through my analog receiver setup. I have some questions though:
  • Will it sound decent?
  • Can I stream at 320kbps?
  • Can I do everything via my iPhone, or do I need to do it from my MacBook Pro?
  • Can I simply run a male 3.5mm stereo phone plug/female RCA stereo cable from the CCA "puck" to the aux inputs on my Marantz receiver?
  • Do I need a separate DAC and/or preamp?
  • What are the advantages of upgrading to a Bluesound Node 2 or Sonos Connect - the DACs? Would I even notice on my old system (Marantz 2220B into a pair of Dynaco A25s).
Thanks for any advice. I did do a little research and didn't find anything definitive.
 
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I can try to answer some of your questions:

Will it sound decent?

That will depend on you and your hearing more than anything else. For me the answer is yes, you may not get the same impression.

Can I stream at 320kbps?

Yes, I do so from my iPhone 8 using VLC and either WAV or MP3 files. They stream at their rated kbps with no issues.

Can I do everything via my iPhone, or do I need to do it from my MacBook Pro?

I've used my iPhone, an Android Tablet and several PC's to setup & stream to my CCA without issue. I don't think you will have to use your MacBook.

Can I simply run a male 3.5mm stereo phone plug/female RCA stereo cable from the CCA "puck" to the aux inputs on my Marantz receiver?

Yes you can, I find that the CCA's internal DAC, once it is set to full fidelity, works quite well. Again you may not get the same impression.

Do I need a separate DAC and/or preamp?

It will depend on how the CCA's internal DAC sounds to you, you shouldn't need a preamp but may benefit from an external DAC. That's another long discussion.

What are the advantages of upgrading to a Bluesound Node 2 or Sonos Connect - the DACs? Would I even notice on my old system (Marantz 2220B into a pair of Dynaco A25s).

I can't help you there, I don't have any experience with either Bluesound or Sonos products. Your Marantz & Dynaco combo should already sound pretty good.

Hope this helps.

Mark Goosdin
 
mgosdin said:
Can I stream at 320kbps?

Yes, I do so from my iPhone 8 using VLC and either WAV or MP3 files. They stream at their rated kbps with no issues.
Click to expand...

Actually, on this one, I should've been clearer - I was referring to Spotify specifically. I've read somewhere that it only streams 320 from the desktop app, and I wasn't sure about that.
 
bscepter said:
Actually, on this one, I should've been clearer - I was referring to Spotify specifically. I've read somewhere that it only streams 320 from the desktop app, and I wasn't sure about that.
Click to expand...
The sound quality of any given Spotify stream is determined by the user agent/device. The mobile apps allow you to request/set bitrate to low, normal, high, very high. 24, 96, 160, 320 respectively. I can Airplay 320 directly from my iPhone to various system(s)

That said, stream requests from certain third party applications which do not have a SQ setting like CCA, Roku, etc. will return a default bitrate determined by Spotify's server. Not sure what this is for Chromecast Audio. Email Spotify...maybe they'll tell you.
 
+48V said:
I can Airplay 320 directly from my iPhone to various system(s)

That said, stream requests from certain third party applications which do not have a SQ setting like CCA, Roku, etc. will return a default bitrate determined by Spotify's server. Not sure what this is for Chromecast Audio. Email Spotify...maybe they'll tell you.
Click to expand...


Thanks. I'll check.

On edit: found the quality option. Thanks!
 
+48V said:
Right. But That only sets the SQ for streams requested and rendered by the phone. The CCA is a separate independent instance with a default SQ setting.
Click to expand...

I believe you can set the quality in the Google Home app by selecting "full fidelity" or something like that. I'm not sure, as mine is still in the mail.
 
bscepter said:
I believe you can set the quality in the Google Home app by selecting "full fidelity" or something like that. I'm not sure, as mine is still in the mail.
Click to expand...
Yes. But I'm fairly certain that has nothing to do with the bitrate from Spotify. I believe that setting is a dynamic range enhancement for the CCA.
 
In the Google Home app it is called Full Dynamic Range. Find your CCA in the app, select the device, choose settings (the gear icon, upper right-hand corner), scroll down to Full Dynamic Range and slide the radio button/toggle to turn on. Looks like it will be worth it. Just did it now but not yet tested.

Happy listening
 
Last edited:
thanks bscepter, all, for bringing this to our attention. I'm so pleased to have enabled it. I was about to give up on my living room speakers, Realistic Optimus 7, because they weren't sounding as good as I thought they should. Now they are lively and smooth! the bass I was missing is back (although I still think I should be getting more).

Yeah!
 
Steve Smiley said:
thanks bscepter, all, for bringing this to our attention. I'm so pleased to have enabled it. I was about to give up on my living room speakers, Realistic Optimus 7, because they weren't sounding as good as I thought they should. Now they are lively and smooth! the bass I was missing is back (although I still think I should be getting more).

Yeah!
Click to expand...

That's awesome. I'm hoping to stream Spotify to my Marantz/Dynaco system when my CCA arrives next week. My only concern is that I'm not sure I can get 320kbps if I do it via the iPhone. But we'll see.
 
I've only been using Apple Music and YouTubeMusic. I haven't determined any of the rates I'm streaming. I'll do more research.

And bscepter, mind if I ask where you got your NOS CCA? I am kicking myself for not ordering more when they were on sale, or unbeknownst to us at the time, closeout!
 
Steve Smiley said:
And bscepter, mind if I ask where you got your NOS CCA? I am kicking myself for not ordering more when they were on sale, or unbeknownst to us at the time, closeout!
Click to expand...

I ordered mine from eBay. $49 for a new one. Prices are going up. I'm kicking myself for not picking up one (or three!) when they were being blown out at $15!
 
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