Chromecast and external DAC

I use a few of them, both with their analogue output (into an older high end amplifier in the main system) and a modern more modest amplifier with digital optical input in the bedroom. It does not have a usb output, only mini optical and analogue (mini headphone style plug).
Even the analogue output from the modest internal DAC sounds fine in my main system with Quad electrostats, streaming Qobuz 16/44. See here for measurements that do confirm this favourable impression. The optical digital output is also clean insofar as the modest bedroom system allows me to tell. See here for measurements: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio_27.html
If your wifi is not that good, there is an ethernet adapter for a wired connection.

You will be amazed how good it is. The analogue output is fine for 16/44, but struggles a bit at 24/96. With its bitperfect digital output it really is a no compromise solution up to 24/96, and for only $35. If you use more than one, you can even synchronise them for multiroom use (if that takes your fancy).
In our bedroom we use the digital output into a small Ava Maestro 50 amplifier with auto on off. The amp and Chromecast sit out of sight, and are switched on automatically if and when there is a signal from the app. The TuneIn Internet Radio app has a sleeptimer that turns the system off automatically after a set interval. Unfortunately not all apps have this option.

Good to hear you are happy. However, I noticed I forgot to include the link to the measurements of the analogue output: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio.html It is fine at 16/44 but measurably struggles at higher resolutions. With the analogue output there is something else to be aware of, however, since Google confuses the issue. There is an option for what they call High Dynamic Range, and you would think that is good news. However, in reality dynamic range is just the same as the default setting. The only difference is a higher output voltage. Standard is some 1.2 Volt if I remember correctly and HDR is the CD red book standard 2.0 Volt. As it so happens, that 2.0 Volt is pretty high for many analogue input stages, potentially leading to clipping of the input signal (my hunch is that a lot of what people call digital harshness is actually this input clipping). So in many systems the default may actually be better than the tempting High Dynamic Range. With the digital output this is not an issue, of course.

The Chromecast Audio can also stream from your laptop if you use BubbleUPnP.