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Chromecast Audio iOS media player

Following advice I got here on Audiogon I have a setup with a Seagate NAS Drive connected to my Wifi Router casting to a Chromecast Audio via toslink to a Yamaha S501 Amp. I had an iPad unused around the house and hoped to use it to control the music but I have had poor success in finding an iOS App that will play the files I created in 24 bit. The 16 bit stuff is fine on almost everything, but 24 gives all of them problems.The problem is the same in every app- intermittent "skip" on the bigger tunes. I think I’ve tried everything on the Apple Store that had a trial or free version and I have no problem buying something if it would cure the problem. Also Seagate's Media Player doesn't show any FLAC files on my system). At this point the better performers have been LocalCast, 8Player and MusicStreamer but each of them still has some issue with the "skip". I was going to try PLEX but it seems like I would have to load PLEX onto my NAS Drive before it could work with their music player. Am I destined to end up buying an Android pad to correct it or is there something in the iOS world that might solve my problem? I presume this isn’t DAC related because I presume using optical bypasses the Chromecast DAC and the Yamaha DAC is used instead?
bozskaggs
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
I’m surprised MusicStreamer isn’t working for you. I use it on my iPad Air casting to a Chromecast Audio with great results .. no skipping. My library of "uncompressed" flac files (16/44.1 to 24/192) are located on an Oyen Digital drive attached via USB to my router.

The Chromecast Audio is spec’d no higher than 24/96, of course, but can pass 24/192 under the right conditions:

  • your DACs toslink connection can handle 24/192 (looks like yours can)
  • your toslink cable can handle 24/192 (not all can)
  • your wifi is stable/robust
I use a Lifatec glass cable which handles 24/192 without issue. My advice is to check the specs on your cable.
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
I hadn’t even considered the optical cable. I bought a cheap FosPower cable on Amazon- time for an upgrade on that!
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
I hope that's all it is. Best of luck.
prpixel
876 posts
 
How far is the Chromecast from the Router?  Sounds like a bandwidth issue to me.  I had a similar problem at my Sisters house.  I ended up installing a POE Access Point right under my Brother-in-laws rig in the basement.  Problem solved.  BTW, the Chromecast was only about 15 feet from the Router, but it was going through three walls, which contained heating ducts, at an oblique angle.
bozskaggs OP
12 posts
 
It's only 8 or 9 feet. I'd hard wire it but it's across a concrete floor/high ceiling and I don't have any way to conceal it. I have a glass optical cable on order to replace the plastic cheapy I originally bought. I'll post the results as soon as it comes in..
On the advice of wtf I loaded the full version of MusicStreamer. I wonder if there's some way to have it launch a full album instead of just individual songs? I would like to have my guests choose an album or albums and then walk away from the music program. Like the old days- listen to whole albums!
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