External Airplay Receiver for Unitilite

Apple Airport Express.

Or use a Chromecast Audio with the Google Home (cast) app for iOS on the 'phone.

Huge posted:

Apple Airport Express.

Or use a Chromecast Audio with the Google Home (cast) app for iOS on the 'phone.

Thanks Huge...do you have a personal preference for either of these options?

I'd tend towards the Chromecast as I'd probably prefer not to muck around with networks or introduce a new variable...  generally prefer simplicity... unless there is a good reason to consider the airport?

Hmmm...

Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice.

Airport Express is likely to be easier to set up if your most of your network devices are Apple, Chromecast is cheaper (£20-£30 vs £100).

I use a Chromecast Audio as I use Android and Windows devices.  I don't know anything about the pitfalls of the Airport Express in Apple or non-Apple ecosystems.

Certainly Chromecast doesn't try to alter your network settings, but it can create a local hotspot that can confuse devices if they're set to auto select the strongest network on boot.  One caveat is: Never do a hardware reset on a Chromecast with a mobile device still connected - the device can get very confused and refuse to disconnect even after uninstalling and reinstalling the app (I did it by accident when I forgot an Android 5.1 device was still connected - I had to do a factory reset on the Android device.).

I haven't used a Chromecast, but the Airport Express/optical connection  is a very simple solution. It has the added advantage of providing a wireless access point, which may or may not be of any use to you. 

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm going to start with the Chromecast audio.... and if I have issues will then consider the Airport Express. 

If you have trouble, just ask, I may be able to answer your problem (N.B. may, I'm not omniscient! ).

For the price, the Chromecast seems like a good choice. More music playing options than the Airport, which probably doesn't justify the extra cost if you don't need it's wireless base station/access point capabilities.

Either way, you'll need a Mini Toslink to Toslink cable, mine was about £20 from Flashback, and seems pretty decent.

Thanks huge and chris... to your point Chris.. I've already ordered the mini toslink cable :-)

Zipperheadbanjo posted:

I'm in the market for an airplay receiver that will connect to a unitilite via digital optical input so that my spouse can use our unitilite in the tv room to play content off her phone.

a suggestion even easier and without buying anything: it would be enough to enable bluetooth between UL and the phone, and you're done