Is there a difference in sound quality between an HDMI Chromecast and Chromecast Audio connected to a receiver? Can HDMI Chromecast play music stored on iPhone? Can Chromecast output to a higher quality DAC for better sound? null

Question

Zach · Accepted Answer

CCA can connect digitally via TOSlink to whatever DAC you prefer. If a DAC accepts HDMI (such as into an AVR) the sound quality should be the same either way as long as the HDMI Chromecast supports the same quality of files (not sure). Music stored on an iPhone likely isn't the best quality (could be if you wanted it to be) but since you can cast apps or the device too it, I assume you could cast audio the same. I actually wondered if the Chromecast Ultra could do the job of both and I didn't find a definitive answer, but I assume it can handle whatever the supported app is pulling.

Answered by Zach 8 years ago

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feelfreetoblameme · Answer

I don't own a video Chromecast so I can't answer your question about HDMI, but I will say that since the Chromecast Audio has an optical output, it will work with any standalone DAC that has an optical (Toslink) input. I had it set up that way before it died. By itself, the Chromecast's sound quality is poor but it's a cheap device.

Answered by feelfreetoblameme 8 years ago

detmark · Answer

Chromecast audio has a DAC whereas Chromecast will just send the sound to your TV/receiver. The Chromecast DAC is pretty good for something this cheap but if you have a super-duper DAC in your receiver, you'd want to use that.

Yes, HDMI chromecast can play music on your iPhone using apps that can do that. Though you'd have to either keep the TV on to send the audio somewhere else or need a receiver that decodes the audio off the HDMI without the TV needing to send it back. It all depends on the configuration you have and how much of a pain it will be. Having the big TV on showing a static image while music is playing might not be desirable. 

Chromecast audio has optical output but you need to buy the special cable. It does not come with the box. It cost a few dollars on eBay. So, your DAC must have optical input.

Noah · Answer

I have both, they are roughly the same as the DAC converts at roughly the same pace. The main benefit of the audio version is speaker groups for multi room playback.

brianpsu · Answer

1. Depends on how you connect it. I'd recommend using a mini-Toslink to use a digital optical connection between the Chromecast Audio and your receiver, then you will achieve the same quality as HDMI.
2. Stored on as in iTunes, no. You can however use your iPhone to play from Google Music, Spotify, Pandora, among others. 
3. If you use the optical connection, it will use the higher quality DAC in your stereo.

“Is there a difference in sound quality between an HDMI Chromecast and Chromecast Audio connected to a receiver? Can HDMI Chromecast play music stored on iPhone? Can Chromecast output to a higher quality DAC for better sound?”

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