Chromecast Audio - external DAC

[hybridauth_Google_113957774674503282542]

Hi!

I use a Chromecast Audio (CCA) connectec to my integrated amplifier (Cambridge Audio Azur 640A) via rca cables. I consider buying an external DAC and connect the CCA to it via Toslink.

Can I expect a hearable boost in the sound qulity by using an external DAC compared to the DAC in the CCA? I consider the Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100 - other suggestions?

I use the Chromecast for Spotify Premium (320 kbps) and will give Tidal HiFi a try, when CCA support is available.

Thanks!

 

[Gray]

Hi!

I use a Chromecast Audio (CCA) connectec to my integrated amplifier (Cambridge Audio Azur 640A) via rca cables. I consider buying an external DAC and connect the CCA to it via Toslink.

Can I expect a hearable boost in the sound qulity by using an external DAC compared to the DAC in the CCA? I consider the Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100 - other suggestions?

I use the Chromecast for Spotify Premium (320 kbps) and will give Tidal HiFi a try, when CCA support is available.

Thanks!

Hi Morten,

Many on these forums would tell you that differences between (competent) DACS are slight or non-existent.

I've tried highly regarded £400 and £600 DACS to bypass the DACs in an old (but good Marantz KI version) CD player and a Humax Freesat box...No noticeable difference on the (14 year old) CD player...very slight improvement to the Freesat box (smoother sibilants)

Unless the DAC in the CCA is poor (unlikely from what some others are saying) you could be spending a fair bit for no appreciable improvement.

Often easier not to but: 'try before you buy' may be more important than ever in your case.

 

[axman]

Really?

i have an M-DAC. When I bought my MF6i, I tried its internal DAC, it was a huge difference, so I changed back to the M-DAC. Now I have the Chromecast audio connected to the M-DAC.

 

[drummerman]

I thought Tidal was now supported?

 

[hybridauth_Google_113957774674503282542]

I bought a NAD D1050 dac and connected the chromecast audio via optical input.

Amazing difference - so much cleaner sound with far more details. A very good investment.

Btw - Tidal does not yet support Chromecast in the android app.

 

[keeper of the quays]

Think you may be right gray, my elderly cd player sounded much better thru dac magic..i changed pre amp recently and now feel cd player is greatly improved thru it's own dac? Strangely dac magic sounded worse thru new pre amp? Lol..i think the old cd players are still top notch..they perhaps need better amplification..i think sometimes people mistake a different sound for a better sound? I'm not convinced.

 

[aversaurus]

Using a dac with a modern cd player there is usually not much gain to be had as modern cd players have good onboard dacs.but between a computer or a cheap streamer I find the difference massive. I have a chromecaSt audio and through the dac the difference is clear