Chromecast Audio review

[Wireless News]

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/CYkPT5zSOv3XKFVC7oTmpA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9ODY7cT03NTt3PT EzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/digital_trends_973/d347a8126417199cd01fab9b5fbb6306 (http://news.yahoo.com/chromecast-audio-review-001058823.html)At a special event in September, Google unveiled its next-generation Chromecast streaming device alongside the all-new Chromecast audio. It’s not often you see an upstart device stand side-by-side with something as revolutionary as Google’s seminal video streamer, but the Chromecast Audio has been positioned as the keystone for the company’s plans to delve into the world of multiroom audio — someday. For now this little puck is little more than addition to already huge host of ways to take your music wireless. However, towing Chromecast’s signature simplicity, and a tiny $35 price tag, it turns out to be one of the most affordable and intuitive wireless adapters on the market. Out of the box Crafted into a sleek black disc with vinyl-style grooves along the top, the device comes packaged with a power cord and a 5-inch 3.5 mm audio cable – that’s it. It’s a cute setup, but an audio cable that short and with that particular connection relegates it for use with powered speakers or Bluetooth speakers with an auxiliary intput and not much else. If you want to add the Chromecast Audio to your hi-fi rig, you’ll want to pick up a different cable, such as a 3.5mm to RCA cable, or a 3.5mm to Toslink Optical cable — which is the preferred method for optimal sound. That raises the sticker price from $35 to more like $40-45. Setup Once you’ve got everything wired up and plugged into your speaker or sound system, it’s extremely easy to get going — just like the original Chromecast. You simply add the device in the new Chromecast app, connect the device to your local network, fill in your Wi-Fi info, and you’re up and running. One caveat, here: unless you’re wiring up the Chromecast to the wimpiest of speakers, you’ll want to go into the device settings right away and engage HDR music to lower the compression on your tunes. Once you’re plugged in and online, you have your pick of the same wide selection of audio apps you’d get with the Chromecast for your TV, including Spotify, Tune-in, Rdio, Google Play, and dozens of others. The fact that the Chromecast app is ready-built for Google’s new addition (thanks to two years of app development) gives the Chromecast Audio a nice head start on its predecessor, though it makes purchasing the audio device for a home theater system a bit redundant if you’ve already got a video Chromecast. The biggest draw is the ability to “cast” without the need of an HDMI port — or even a TV for that matter. The limitations of the “cast” However, as simplified as the Chromecast Audio is, iOS fans may want to think twice about jumping on this train. Unlike similar devices that connect speakers over Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth for that matter) the Chromecast Audio can’t stream files sourced directly from your iPhone or iPad from iTunes or Apple Music. There’s a chance that Apple is at least partially to blame, as the company has long-championed its own wireless streaming system, AirPlay. But regardless of which party is at fault, it’s a bit of a bummer for iPhone users. As you might guess, things are much easier for Androidians, who can use Chromecast mirroring to play any files on a phone or tablet. In addition, Amazon Prime Music — which comes free with a Prime subscription — won’t stream on the device either. Again, for a Bluetooth device, this simply isn’t an issue. The Chromecast Audio has other limitations, too. You can’t directly stream audio files from a computer, or DLNA storage drive like many wireless music adaptors, such as the $60 Muzo Cobblestone, for instance. There is a workaround for Google’s new device through Chromecast-supported server apps such as Plex, which allows you to cast any music files uploaded to your Plex library, but that might be more work than many users are willing to put in — especially considering all the other wireless options out there. Bill Roberson/Digital Trends Billed as a hi-fi device, Google has said that the Chromecast Audio is limited to 24bit/48kHz resolution, for now. That’s less than some Wi-Fi streamers (which top out at 24bit/192kHz) though it bests the much-pricier Sonos system, which streams at CD-quality (16bit/44.1kHz) resolution. In any event, a slightly lower sample rate shouldn’t be a problem for most users because a) it’s a $35 device, and b) it’s essentially designed to stream from music services, the vast majority of which compress audio files well below even CD-quality audio. In any event, users with a large number of hi-res tracks will likely want to find a more refined streaming solution such as a top-tier AV receiver. Performance When it comes to serving up brilliantly stable streaming, the Chromecast Audio really shines. Most wireless streamers with homegrown apps – from the Cobblestone mentioned above, to big players like Samsung and Denon – sometimes struggle with stuttering. Not so with our evaluation of the Chromecast. Whether we were casting from Spotify, or tracks from our Plex library, streaming was rock solid. As promised, audio performance is definitely better than what you’ll get from Bluetooth devices, with more detail and better dynamic range that fosters a more listening intimate experience when connected to a quality speaker set. However, when we tested the Chromecast back-to-back with our Cobblestone, we actually heard a bit more clarity and instrumental timbre through the latter device, especially in the upper register. Cymbals, and other percussive instruments sound a bit smoothed over with the Chromecast Audio in comparison, though both devices do a pretty impressive job for their price points. Conclusion The Chromecast Audio is certainly extremely easy to use, and that’s good, because ease of use is its defining attribute. The problem we see with the Chromecast Audio is the sheer number of competing devices. Just about any powered speaker or A/V receiver you’ll find these days comes with one form of wireless music streaming or another. And don’t forget the Chromecast video streamer, which can be just as useful as a music streamer if you have a decent home theater setup connected to your TV. That’s the real hitch with Chromecast Audio right now: With so many ways to go wireless these days, the device appears to be a solution without a problem. Related: Chromecast (2015) review That said, for Android users, and even iPhone folks hooked on Spotify, the Chromecast Audio does provide a brilliantly simple, stable, and easy way to make standard audio systems wireless – TV or no. Moreover, Google says multiroom functionality is on the way, which could allow users to group speakers, and control the audio throughout the house over a single app. If the company can deliver on that promise, the uber-affordable Chromecast Audio could increasingly become a versatile and useful tool to add to your wireless arsenal. Highs Highly stable streaming Sounds better than Bluetooth Brilliantly simple setup Extremely affordable Lows Won’t stream iTunes or Apple Music from iOS devices Third-party app required to stream audio from a computer Multiroom functionality not yet available Included audio cable is relatively useless



More... (http://news.yahoo.com/chromecast-audio-review-001058823.html)