Naim muso and google voice

From the lack of replies, I’m guessing not

I would have thought this could be something catered for via firmware update.....

Hi -- The Muso does not have Google Chromecast built-in, so you would need to connect a Chromecast Audio to the optical digital input of your Muso and then make the Chromecast Audio the default music player for your Google Home Mini.  The catch is that your Muso won't wake up for an incoming optical signal, so you'd at least need to turn it on first.

Google Home does not interact with Spotify Connect, which is the streaming protocol built in to your Muso.

Note that the new Uniti range does have Chromecast built in, so you can do exactly as you suggest. I haven't heard any suggestion that Naim are intending to add Chromecast built-in to the Muso range (via firmware or whatever). I guess that would be on the cards for a more significant refresh of the product. 

That’s really helpful, thanks. I’ll give it a go

Great -- I should add that I have this exact set-up on 2 Musos in different rooms.  On balance I'd rather use the native streamer than an external device but there isn't a noticeable difference in sound quality at Spotify (or internet radio) bitrates in to a Muso.   Another tip, you can extend the auto-standby time on the Muso to around a day, so you only need to wake it up once in the morning.

My toddler and her nanny love using voice control  ;-)

Hi - i've bought a Chromecast Audio device - but want to check how I go about plugging it in.  Should it go into the optical digital input on the underside of the muso?  and if so, do I need to buy some kind of adaptor? - as the chromecast only came with a 3.5 audio jack cable

thanks

Yup you'll need an optical cable with a mini-toslink adaptor for the Chromecast end (the mini-toslink adaptor allows you to put an optical cable in to the 3.5 audio jack of the chromecast).   You can spend a lot or a little on optical cables....  personally the one that costs around £3.99 on the river-based online retailer looks good to me, and it comes with the required adaptor. 

Thanks- could you provide a link to one please?

I'm not sure forum rules allow links to e-commerce sites.   But if you google "optical cable with mini-toslink adapter" you will immediately see images and links to purchase.   If you put the same exact phrase in to Amazon you will see loads of them. 

Brilliant, thank you

Okay, I’ve got the wire, got Chromecast audio setup, plugged in, recognised by google home. But when I select it as the speaker, no sound comes out.

do I need to change a setting or something?

 Thanks 

Right -- Before doing anything with the Google Home, it's worth making sure that you have the basics covered first...

1) You have your Chromecast Audio powered on and set up using the Google Home app so it's connected to your Wifi. If you open Spotify (or any other app that supports Google Cast) on your phone, you should be able to see the Chromecast Audio as an available device. 

2) Your Chromecast Audio is connected by an optical digital cable to your Muso (make sure the mini-toslink end of the optical cable is full inserted in to the Chromecast Audio).

3) Your Muso is on (not in standbye), set to the digital input and the volume is at a sensible level. 

If all of the above is true, open Spotify on your phone, start playing some music and then select the new Chromecast Audio from the device list.  At this point the music should start playing through your Muso.

Let me know if that's working.   If it is then we can move to the next step and get the Chromecast audio set up as the default music player for your Google Home.

Good Luck

Thanks- yes to all of that, and I’ve also set the Chromecast audio as the default player for media requests sent to the google home mini

Can you hear music playing if you select the Chromecast audio from the device list in the Spotify App on your phone (and hit play obviously)?

If the answer is NO then we need to establish whether the Chromecast audio is playing the song at all.  You can do that by looking at the Chromecast audio in Google Home app... it will tell you if it is playing a song.  Selecting it will allow you to set the volume (the Chromecast audio has its own volume control).  Make sure it is playing at a sensible volume. 

Hi again

yes, google home says the Chromecast audio is playing a track 

Ok so we can assume the Chromecast is behaving correctly.   While the Chromecast is playing, open the naim app, select your muso and select the digital input.   When you select the input (as if to view what is now playing) it should say something like "signal locked" if it receiving a digital signal.  It will say "not connected" if it not receiving a signal.  What does it say?

Another bit of info - when setting up the Chromecast Audio it asked me if I could hear the sound. I didn’t hear any sound, but I said yes as that was the only way to progress

Yeah - it doesn't appear that the digital signal is getting to your Muso.  I don't mean to patronise, but it's worth double checking that you have the optical cable correctly connected.  It's possible your new optical cable, chromecast audio or muso aren't functioning properly but I doubt it.

Chromecast audio end -- put the mini-toslink adaptor on to the end of the optical cable (it will click in to place) and insert firmly in to the chromecast. it will click in to place.

Muso end -- Do NOT use a mini-toslink adaptor... put the end of the optical cable in to the digital input under your muso (next to the power cable).  It should click in to place.

Make sure the muso is set to the digital input, turned on, and has the volume at a good level.  Now play the music and follow the steps in my previous replay to see whether the Muso is receiving a signal.

Switching to digital (which says signal locked whilst track playing) within the naim app has seemed to do the trick.

It does seem like something I may have to do each time though (go into the naim app and select digital), as otherwise no sound comes through

You shouldn't need to go in to the app each time.  The Muso will not wake itself up from standby automatically but, if you turn the muso on yourself (either in the app or by using the button on the top), it should come back on at the previously selected input and volume.  Using the app you can set the auto-standby to a long time (say 12 hours) so you can turn it on once in the morning, make sure it's set to the digital input, and it should stay there for the day.

It's also worth noting that the input button on the top dial of the muso cycles through the possible inputs.  It's not obvious which one relates to the digital input but it's the one where the indicator is on the far right.  If in doubt, check the app.

Glad you finally got some sound through!

Me too!  Thanks for all your help