I was able to cast audio from the CBS All-Access site for a few minutes and then it stopped. Also, without a wired Ethernet option you could run up against interference problems depending on the strength of your Wi-Fi (and your neighbors').Ĭhrome browser support is patchy: While Chromecast is supposed to work without fuss, and usually does when casting video, I found it patchy when casting audio. It's only able to stream up to 24/96 which may worry some audiophiles, and I had some issues with hooking it up digitally to a Rotel receiver with unpleasantly steely sonics.

It has its limitations: While hooking the Chromecast up to a DAC or receiver helps, it can only do so much. Create a group in the Google Home app incorporating the speakers you want, and even control it with your voice if you like. These include speakers, receivers,Īnd high-end adaptors from the likes of Sony, LG, NAD, Polk, Raumfeld and Onkyo. While it works great with other Chromecast Audio units it will also work with Chromecast built-in products from third-party manufacturers. Multiroom: The Chromecast Audio is designed to work as part of a multiroom system supporting most file formats up to 24-bit/96kHz. If you want to improve the audio quality you can hook it up to an external DAC or receiver, too - though the performance is perfectly fine for budget speakers. Of all the Wi-Fi dongles we've tested under $100 this is definitely the easiest to setup. It keeps improving: In the two years since the dongle's release, the Chromecast has only gotten better, with voice control one of the latest improvements.

, Google Play Music, YouTube Music and iHeartRadio.

Apart from native support there are also plenty of Android and iOS apps with built-in Cast buttons including Spotify, Pandora, Just tap the Cast Audio/Video button in the Google Home app and that sweet Soundcloud mix tape will start coming out of your hi-fi. It supports all apps on Android, many on iOS: If you're an Android user, you're in heaven as the Audio will play back anything you can play on your phone or tablet.

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