The external dacs will generally open up sound stage and instrumental detail/separation. Stream Tidal, Google Play Music, Deezer, Spotify, NPR One, Pocket Casts, 8Tracks, and more through Mac, Windows, Android, or iOS.Р вЂќР’В¬ertainly optical offers better signal Р Р†Р вЂљРІР‚Сљ IР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћve used this route for two headphone amp stations (JDS dac and amp and a Schiit stack) with good results (convenience and audio fidelity), as well as through the JDS Lans Ol Dac with optical in (ads some cost over USB base version) and then rca out to a Harman Kardon (rca in only) receiver driving Focal Bookshelf Speakers and monolith powered sub (and hi-res Spotify and Tidal as streaming source off iPhones. The Chromecast Audio is also compatible with a vast number of apps and operating systems. Utilizing digital optical out at 24-bit/96kHz, pairing the Chromecast Audio with the OL DAC and any headphone/speaker system will give you a fantastic high-res listening station.

Pair it with a google home mini ($49) and additional Chromecasts for a voice-operated budget multi-room streaming setup. The device itself is only $35, leaving tons of room in even the most modest streaming budget. It works seamlessly with the JDS Labs OL DAC and EL DAC to form a strong base for any listening setup. We like the Chromecast Audio for many reasons, namely: value, audio quality, and app selection. We highly recommend this combination if youР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћre looking into building a hi-res streaming system.Р вЂќР’В¬hromecast Audio connects to any optical DAC to stream high quality audio over WiFi to any audio system, usually a set of powered speakers or larger stereo, and can be used with apps from smartphones, tablets, and PCs. That began our Chromecast Audio + DAC journey and weР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћve never looked back. We received an email late last year from Erik, who mentioned that he uses his OL DAC with GoogleР Р†Р вЂљРІвЂћСћs Chromecast Audio, an optical source that we had overlooked. You can see the results of some of these experiments in this post from last year.

During development of the JDS Labs OL & EL DACs, we went a little optical crazy around the office.

Google chromecast 2018 vs chromecast 2