Chromecast Audio gets multi-room streaming and 96KHz/24-bit lossless audio playback

[Arthur]

You will need v1.13 of the Chromecast app to support the new features. Detailed setup instructions can be found here.

 

A couple of months ago we launched Chromecast Audio to provide an easy way to stream your favorite tunes from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your existing speakers. At £30, Chromecast Audio is an affordable way to connect your speakers via WiFi so you can stream tons of popular apps including Spotify, Pandora and Google Play Music from anywhere in your home. Today we’re starting to add two new features to the latest software update to elevate your listening experience.

 

Introducing Hi-Res audio support

Close your eyes and imagine the musician is playing in the room. Today we’re rolling out high-resolution audio support, which gives you even higher quality music playback using Chromecast Audio. With support of up to 96KHz/24bit lossless audio playback, you can enjoy higher-than-CD-quality audio on your existing high fidelity audio equipment.

 

Blast the same song in every room

Now you can easily fill every room in your home—bedroom, kitchen, living room, or wherever you have a Chromecast Audio connected—with synchronous music. Multi-room lets you group Chromecast Audio devices together so you can listen to the same song on multiple speakers.

 

Setup is simple. Connect and setup a Chromecast Audio device for each of your speakers, then use the latest Chromecast app to create a group. You can cast to the group the exact same way you would cast to a single Chromecast device. Since anyone with a phone can easily cast without pairing, you can sync your home speakers together and invite your friends to be the DJ.

 

So grab your hairbrush microphone, dust off your tennis racket guitar, and jam out to your favorite tunes at amazing quality and in every room of your house.

 

Source: http://chrome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/even-more-to-love-about-chromecast-audio.html

[jmak]

Oooh! I already love mine - one of my better tech purchases!

 

Currently on offer in PC world £25 with free next day delivery. How many do you think I'll get away with buying?! (Not thinking PC world's regs, I mean what's compatible with a happy marriage )

 

I asked for one for Christmas. Response was "I don't really understand why you would want one, but you can buy one for yourself if you want it".

[Arthur]

Currently on offer in PC World £25 with free next day delivery.

Tesco Direct has a similar offer too (albeit on the non-audio Chromecast). I just bought one for £1 since I had £12 worth of ClubCard vouchers which were worth £24 with ClubCard Boost and I got free delivery since I have Delivery Saver (although you can also have it delivered to a store for free).

 

Edit. You also get £20 of Google Play credit too (with the HDMI version).

 

How many do you think I'll get away with buying?!

Since the Chromecasts are easy to hide behind TVs and speakers I think quite a few.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Arthur

[jinnantonnixx]

The Chromecast Audio is going to be one of those 'disruptive' products.

I was toying with the idea of buying into a Sonos system, or similar, but lamented that my old hi-fi was still good.

 

Along comes the CCAudio, which is a great and very cheap way of turning an old (but good) hi-fi into an up-to-date system.

 

 

My favourite music is uploaded to Google Music. When I want to hear new stuff, my favourite free apps without ads (compatible with Chromecast Audio) are

8tracks <<< **This is a seriously brilliant music app **

and

Soundcloud

 

Here's a mix I made on 8tracks. I must have been feeling morose!

http://8tracks.com/anon-665053243/indie-mix-1

Edited December 11, 2015 by jinnantonnixx

[jmak]

Tesco Direct has a similar offer too (albeit on the non-audio Chromecast). I just bought one for £1 since I had £12 worth of ClubCard vouchers which were worth £24 with ClubCard Boost and I got free delivery since I have Delivery Saver (although you can also have it delivered to a store for free).

 

Edit. You also get £20 of Google Play credit too (with the HDMI version).

 

 

Since the Chromecasts are easy to hide behind TVs and speakers I think quite a few.

 

Think I'll probably end up with one of those anyway, but the Chromecast Audio is a subtly different beast.

 

The Chromecast Audio is one of those 'disruptive' products.

I was toying with the idea of buying into a Sonos system, or similar, but lamented that my old hi-fi was still good.

 

Along comes the CCAudio, which is a great and very cheap way of turning an old (but good) hi-fi into an up-to-date system.

 

Can't think of a reason to buy a Sonos system now. Just trying to resist buying a separate DAC now....

[jinnantonnixx]

Don't forget to go into the Chromecast device menu and switch on 'Full Dynamic Range' if you want to get the most out of the music. It's off by default.

 

https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6290498?hl=en-GB

Edited December 11, 2015 by jinnantonnixx

[jmak]

Don't forget to go into the Chromecast menu and switch on the expanded dynamic range if you want to get the most out of the music. It's off by default.

 

Took me a few minutes to find that setting when I first unboxed it. Transforms the sound.

[Arthur]

I was toying with the idea of buying into a Sonos system, or similar, but lamented that my old hi-fi was still good.

I was thinking of buying some Sonos speakers too but I found the cost incredibly hard to justify when you have to spend ~£264 on a Sonos Connect in order to playback audio through the speakers from a computer connected to an AV receiver.

 

£563 (for two Play:1s and a Connect) vs £25 for a Chromecast is a no brainer!

[jinnantonnixx]

I was thinking of buying some Sonos speakers too but I found the cost incredibly hard to justify when you have to spend ~£264 on a Sonos Connect in order to playback audio through the speakers from a computer connected to an AV receiver.

 

£563 (for two Play:1s and a Connect) vs £25 for a Chromecast is a no brainer!

 

Exactly my thoughts. My old Rotel amp and Mission speakers still work as good as new. Now they're a full cloud audio system.

[Steve21]

I'm curious, what speakers are you guys using with this? Was looking at Sonos for Xmas, but obviously cheaper and more options are better. Just wondering what speakers you'd suggest with the chromecast as obviously would still need some.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[jmak]

Exactly my thoughts. My old Rotel amp and Mission speakers still work as good as new. Now they're a full cloud audio system.

 

Yep. Still loving my Arcam and Castle floor standers for proper listening. At £25 it's worth having in the kitchen plugged into the mini "HiFi " - excellent with BBC iPlayer radio - and will be digging out my old Marantz amp and Mission bookcase speakers to put in the dining room. Ready for Christmas parties!

 

Was just waiting for the multi room update

[jmak]

I'm curious, what speakers are you guys using with this? Was looking at Sonos for Xmas, but obviously cheaper and more options are better. Just wondering what speakers you'd suggest with the chromecast as obviously would still need some.

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

You'll need an amp as well. I'm just using what I had around...

 

You could do a lot worse than head to Richer Sounds and pick up one of their budget Cambridge Audio amps (their own brand and I haven't listened to one for a while, but they always tended to be a good entry level amp) and some of the Tannoy or Mordant Short speakers they've got for <£100 at the minute. Don't get talked into buying stupidly expensive cables - a few pounds is OK, but you could spend as much again on your cables.

[jinnantonnixx]

I'm curious, what speakers are you guys using with this? Was looking at Sonos for Xmas, but obviously cheaper and more options are better. Just wondering what speakers you'd suggest with the chromecast as obviously would still need some.

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

I'm still using my old student hi-fi I bought back in about 1990. It's a Rotel RA920 amp and mission 760i speakers. It's still good!

 

I would certainly go for a separate, dedicated amp instead of an integrated unit. Something like a Cambridge Topaz and any Mission bookshelf speakers would be a good starting point.

[jinnantonnixx]

... Don't get talked into buying stupidly expensive cables - a few pounds is OK, but you could spend as much again on your cables.

 

Absolutely. Just get some coat-hangers.

 

Do Coat Hangers Sound As Good Monster Cables? – Consumerist

 

But seriously, just get some reasonable speaker cable. There's a lot of voodoo nonsense with HiFi, so don't pay more than a few quid for any cable.

[Steve21]

Guess only downside of that then would be you'd need an amp per room/area wouldn't you? Or do they do wireless speakers from the amp etc

 

Sorry might be silly questions, been out the audio loop for awhile

 

Steve

[jinnantonnixx]

Guess only downside of that then would be you'd need an amp per room/area wouldn't you? Or do they do wireless speakers from the amp etc

 

Sorry might be silly questions, been out the audio loop for awhile

 

Steve

 

You can get amps to drive several pairs of speakers, but this is specialist and you'll need to drill and lay cables. I wouldn't really go wireless speakers as any encoding/decoding will reduce the quality.

 

So practically, you will need an amp and speaker combo for every CCAudio. For less critical listening environments (e.g. kitchen, workshop), a simple pair of powered speakers might be OK. But you'll be glad you shelled out for a nice amp and speaker set for your main listening room.

 

You could keep an eye out for some second-hand kit. Hifi owners tend to look after their kit, and you can get some bargains. You can always upgrade bits as you go.

Edited December 11, 2015 by jinnantonnixx

[Arthur]

I'm curious, what speakers are you guys using with this?

My current speakers aren't particularly great so I was thinking of putting the money saved from not buying a couple of Sonos Play:1s towards some Adam A7X or Yamaha HS8 speakers.

[eyetea]

Any recommendations for wall mounted (standmount?) speakers + an amp for this? Only req for amp is that is has a remote!

[jmak]

Any recommendations for wall mounted (standmount?) speakers + an amp for this? Only req for amp is that is has a remote!

 

You might not need a remote - volume and content can be controlled via the Chromecast app, so you'd only need to touch the amp if you want to change the source. And with the music and radio apps available on Chromecast, that won't be very often!