MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I've been checking prices regularly as since getting the first one I've been so impressed, and wanta multi room set up now!
So blow me... Dropped back to £15 again at Currys..3 ordered...
Just thought I'd let you know...
DrP
ta
ordered
You bad man, I don't need a fourth for a speaker I haven't bought yet. 🙂
What is a Chromecast audio please? I have the original one so what's the difference? Thank you. 🙂
audio phono output rather than HDMI.
marry it to a powered speaker, and you have internet radio/spotify streamer/google music system in the kitchen etc.
C-G: It plugs into your stereogram (rather than HDMI) so that you can stream music to it.
Saves running a lead from your laptop to the stereogram.
Only problem is, not all music playing apps are compatible, so check the one you use is before buying.
I've got one, but haven't found it very useful really. It hangs there out the front of my stereo, just us ugly as if I just had a phono lead there - And the Chromecast has to be plugged into the mains all the time. And sometimes it doesn't work when you want it to, which can be quite annoying.
(I'm sure others have found it fantastic and completely reliable - Which is why I posted that, for some balance, not to get into an argument about it being the best thing since sliced ...etc.)
PS, Ive just ordered one of these for £25 to marry it to
since I cant quite bring myself to stretch to a second (excellent, suprber!) JBL Flip 2 for £60
hanging danlgy lead things off stereos is a bit shit, but I have a corner out of the way where I can permanently power with USB charger both the speaker and chromecast.
It would look a bit unsightly if I couldnt
Thanks Stoner and Dez. I don't think it would work with my separates as the amp is over 30 years old so input/output unsuitable.
For a moment I became excited at the thought of playing Youtube music vids through my speakers!
amp is over 30 years old so input/output unsuitable
you can connect to any amp that has RCA or phono inputs.
You can get a phono to RCA cable for pennies.
RCA for big old amps:
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Phono to RCA
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or phono to phono for more up to date hardware.
Its definitely the way to play youtube audio over hifi
Thank you Stoner, shall take a look at the system.
It takes batteries, doesn't it, as well as being USB powered?
Chromecast is USB power only and annoyingly old iPod docks I've tried don't supply enough power to run one so a separate USB power supply is required
it doesnt take batteries
@CG - if your stereo has standard RCA plugs (which unless it's Naim kit it should do) the a simple 3.5mm to RCA lead is all you need and it will work fine
Thanks (I think, lol) for the PSA. I've just bought one of these even though I have no idea whether I will use it. It's got lots of positive reviews and feedback though, so I expect I'll be able to utilise it in my home. And £15 is not a great deal of dosh at all these days.
C_G - you'll be pleased to know the Youtube is Chromecast Audio compatible.
As is Google Chrome (natch), so you can cast any audio out of a Chrome browser window.
Napster is also chromecast compatible
I have a logitech bluetooth adaptor running into my 20 year old decent hifi system at the moment enabling me to play google music/soundcloud from my phone. What does Chromecast audio give me that that does not? Better quality? Better range? Or much of a muchness. thanks
Better quality and better range. Bluetooth tends to cut out if you stray too far but the chromecast will continue playing so long as it is on the wifi network. If streaming you could turn your phone off and it would keep going
Super thanks.
A fortuitous PSA as I was about to punt 30 quid on one, many thanks OP.
Is there a good android app for playing music from a network drive to a chromecast? Preferably something that keeps the folder layout rather than relying on id tags
Appreciate you chaps being so patient. 😀 Do I need to spend £15 on a Chromecast Audio cable or can they be bought cheaper please? If so a link would be terrific.
Dez - I can get Youtube on my tablet but sound is dreadful, sounds better from the PC as it has a sub.
Two things to note with chromecast, if you are connecting to an amp there is a setting to enable full dynamic range.
Secondly it also has a optical output built into the phono port, May need an expensive proprietary cable though.
It comes with a short phono Jack to phono Jack cable in the box, I've replaced them with other cables as my speakers didn't work reliabley with, needed a bit of a wiggle now and again.
CG - if your amp needs RCA, buy one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1m-GOLD-Stereo-3-5mm-Jack-to-2-RCA-Twin-Phono-Cable-RCA-Lead-Black-New-1m-/120953216161?hash=item1c295f9ca1:g:zboAAOSwbwlXA4YC
if you ramp has a phono aux input (possibly unlikely, but I cant see from this far away) then you can use the cable that comes in the box.
OK, have had another look and it would seem that in order to use the 'phono' (that has to mean amp) the two CD player leads (L and R) would need to be removed. The other sockets are for separate tuner, non-existent turntable and 2 for non-existent tape player.
Stoner - no phono aux input, see above.
Is now bewildered. 😳
The other sockets are for separate tuner,
use the RCA leads into that
take a photo.
two CD player leads (L and R) would need to be removed.
Don't remove these, you want to play your CDs
The other sockets are for separate tuner,
You can use these
non-existent turntable
DON'T use this, it is ONLY for turntables as they need non linear amplification
and 2 for non-existent tape player.
That will be an in and out for playing and recording, you could use the in if nothing else is available.
I'm sure I have a cheap 3.5 to RCA lead kicking around. If you are buying a chromecast email me your address and I will stick it in an envelope.
optical output built into the phono port, May need an expensive proprietary cable
Not proprietary, you can get one in Richer Sounds or elsewhere, probably even Currys PC World do them
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knockout.
Tuner L&R with RCA plugs from the phono to RCA lead that Rubber Bucaneer will send you, or you can buy from my ebay link above.
Yep, Tuner, or (if you took out the tuner leads to take the photo (possible!)), the TAPE 1 input is also RCA.
Thanks, OP. Had been waiting for these to get cheap again after missing out last time.
Well I've just ordered 2, 1 to enable streaming on my ageing (possibly soon to be replaced AV amp).
And one for the bedroom stereo.
If it doesn't work flawlessly for my wife though I will send her your way DrP!
Anyone know if these are available in store?
You can certainly reserve for immediate collection if your store has them in stock. All my local ones do. No reason you won't get that price but if there is a different store price just reserve on your phone.
you can order online & collect in store
Thanks DrP - not sure if it will work off the Zeppelin but I'm sure I can find a use elsewhere
2 x ordered for free next day delivery.. bargain! That will sort out the old stereos and arguing kids.
Cheers OP, did a click'n'collect on my lunch hour and got 5% off via Topcashback as well.
BTW, if you need a 1.5mm to RCA connector to hook it up to your old radiogram, don't fork out Currys' ludicrous 11 quid for one.
Has anyone got this to work with windows media player and/or a Windows phone? I had a go, but didn't manage it. Mind you, I am very old.
Huge thanks to all from this old and bewildered bimbo, especially Stoner who was exceptionally patient. To Rubber_Buccaneer - thank you kindly for your offer but found some money in my Paypal account so went with Stoner's link.
Lastly, apologies to Dr P (nice PSA) and, as you were. 😉
set up should be pretty straightforward when you get it,
but post up in here if you have any problems.
You're so kind Stoner, thank you. 8)
Well, I won't be bloody helping. hmph!
Love you too Dezzie x
😉
Hmm...just ordered two more as gifts!!
DrP
it also has a optical output built into the phono port, May need an expensive proprietary cable though.
I haven't used this, but you may not need the £15 optical link cable thingy that is sold as a chromecast accessory......
Bought 4, Ta for the psa op.
If anyone is wondering [url= http://arstechnica.co.uk/gadgets/2016/04/cheap-sonos-party-house-how-to-chromecast-audio/ ]review[/url]
They delivered the TV one instead of the audio one 🙁
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Should be 😀 They are £30They delivered the TV one instead of the audio one
You definitely don't need a specific Chromecast cable to use the optical output. Lots of 3.5mm to TOSLINK optical cables on EBay which will work fine.
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😉
Anyway to get amazon prime music or apple music to use these things yet?
postie dun good.
TDK speaker and Chromecast Audio arrived today.
From box-ripping, to streaming music in less than 3mins. Lovely and easy.
Only snag Ive found is that you need a spotify premium account to cast from phone to chromecast, which I'm not about to splash out for.
However, you can cast the Spotify webplayer from a chrome browser tab on the computer without problems, and since I have a chromebook in the kitchen, then that's sorted.
this little lot is going up on top of the cupboard out of the way.
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3 minutes to set up Stoner??? Took me a lot longer due to discovering that a button on the amp needed to be turned off. It's great though, have been enjoying the new little gizmo. 8)
I'm not sure what all this is about but ordered one just in case...:-D
ps sound quality from that TDK is excellent. I might buy another one for another room.
got mine set up today. surprised they didn't just team themselves up automatically but it wasn't that much bother.
cg - make sure you set the wider dynamic range for your amp - best quality. it's in the device settings accessed through the chromecast app.
cracking little things. well pleased! 8)
Any recommendations for powered monitor speakers that could be used for multi room?
Del - thanks for the tip, shall investigate.
Set mine up in the barn today in preparation for my girls party on Friday night. I'm proper impressed, sounds excellent esp with the wider dynamic range button flicked.
Also much louder than plugging the phone straight into the amp for some reason.
£15 delivered next day .... proper bargain, well done DrP
Picked one up yesterday. It's now plugged into an ancient sherwood amp and some equally ancient JPW mini monitors in my bedroom. Already have one in the lounge plugged into an old Marantz PM63KI amp / Mission speakers and have been hoping to pick up a 2nd one on the cheap 🙂
If we had a few sets of speakers and Chromecasts in different rooms could we stream to all of them and/or just select one set?
No idea. I'll try and let you know Mike 🙂
Only appear to be able to connect to one chromecast at a time from my phone.
you should be able to group them all up if you're using an android or apple device and the chromecast app. you can't group them together from the desktop app, for some reason, but once you have configured the group, you can cast to it from the chrome browser on a desktop without any trouble.
[url= https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6328691?hl=en-GB&ref_topic=6328727 ]here you go[/url]
with my 4 devices, i have them set up in two groups, one that is all of them, and another that misses out the one in the garage, for instance.
when i go to cast, i get the 2 groups come up, as well as the individual devices.
Cool. So with Stoner's TDK speakers, a multi room setup could be done for £40 a speaker.
Cheers for this. I've got one plugged into my sonos system (overkill, I know) and now I can listen to iplayer radio via it, which has been bugging me for ages.
great service from Currys as well - I ordered about 5pm and arrived next day
Cool. So with Stoner's TDK speakers, a multi room setup could be done for £40 a speaker.
yes.
Loving it at the moment. bank holiday morning coffee in the kitchen to v loud and clear Nick Cave. 😀
I ordered one on Saturday afternoon and it was delivered on Sunday in a one hour slot to rural Cumbria, I can't imagine they made much money on it. Works great on my old Klipsch igroove hg speaker dock. Thanks for the psa
Is there any reason I'd choose a Chromecast over a Neet device?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet%C2%AE-Wireless-Receiver-wireless-streaming/dp/B00O0U37HO
The most recent reviews for that Neet device are not very favorable.
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. The Chromecast is more limited in its functionality, but it is currently a bit cheaper, has a power supply included and allows multi room support if you bought more than one. The biggest downside for me is that music has to me streamed, so I have had to install Plex so that I can stream my local music rather than just playing it directly. It's a compromise I am happy to make though.
Hah! Twoptwip!
you [b]CAN[/b] cast spotify Free mobile to the audio chromecast by using the android "Cast screen" option in the OS pulldown menu screen, rather than try and link the chromcast from within the Spotify app.
Only downside to that is all your notifications, calls, etc will also be 'cast'. But at least it is there as a last resort
doesn't that also mean it's going to your phone, then back up to your network, then to the chromecast(s)?
No idea but it actually seems to run better than being cast from a chrome tab