Meet CAST PRO-1: Stream Your Record Player, CD Player, or TV to Every Room with Music Assistant and Sendspin
When we launched CAST-1, the most common request was audio in. People wanted to play their record player, CD player, or TV through the same speakers, in every room. CAST PRO-1 is our answer.
Plug a source into its 3.5 mm Line In and it shows up in Music Assistant like any other source. Pick the rooms, press play, and it plays in sync across CAST PRO-1, CAST-1, and other Sendspin speakers. It also adds optical out, built-in Ethernet, and terminals for LED strips.
- Stream a record player to every room
- Analog and optical out
- LED strips and WiZmote remotes
- CAST-1 vs. CAST PRO-1
- Specs
- FAQ
Stream your record player to every room
The Line In turns whatever you plug in into a Music Assistant source.
- Record player. Spin a record in the living room and hear it in the kitchen and on the porch.
- CD player. Bring an old collection back without ripping a single disc.
- TV. Send TV audio to speakers in other rooms.
- Anything else line level. Cassette decks, mixers, radios.
One thing to know: the Line In is line level. Most turntables put out a much quieter phono signal, so a turntable needs a phono preamp, either built in or a separate box, between it and CAST PRO-1. CD players and TVs connect directly.
How it works
- Plug your source into the Line In. The setup guide calls this jack Analog In.
- Connect CAST PRO-1 to your network over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- Add it to Home Assistant. It is discovered automatically.
- In Music Assistant 2.10.7 or newer, play the Line In source to one room or a group of rooms.
The CAST PRO-1 getting started guide walks through each step.
Built on Music Assistant and Sendspin
Multi-room sync comes from Sendspin, the open audio protocol from the Open Home Foundation. It runs on your local network with no cloud account, and Music Assistant supports it natively. That's why CAST PRO-1 plays in sync with CAST-1 and other Sendspin speakers out of the box.
Music Assistant, Sendspin, Home Assistant, and ESPHome are all Open Home Foundation projects. CAST PRO-1 is a small piece of hardware. Those communities are what make it useful.
Analog and optical out
The 3.5 mm output is a dual analog and optical jack. You pick which one in Home Assistant.
- Analog uses a PCM5122 DAC, the same chip as CAST-1. Connect powered speakers, a soundbar, or an amp.
- Optical works with a 3.5 mm to TOSLINK cable or adapter, for receivers and DACs with an optical input.
CAST PRO-1 has no built-in amplifier, so passive speakers need an amp. It also plays announcements, doorbell chimes, and text-to-speech from Home Assistant, like CAST-1.
Built-in Ethernet
CAST-1 needs a separate HAT for a wired connection. CAST PRO-1 has 10/100 Ethernet built in, plus 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If the cable is unplugged, it falls back to Wi-Fi. The port is data only with no PoE, so it still needs USB-C power.
Wi-Fi setup uses Improv over Bluetooth LE, so you can send your Wi-Fi details straight from Home Assistant. Bluetooth LE also makes CAST PRO-1 a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant.
LED strips and WiZmote remotes
CAST PRO-1 has four onboard RGB LEDs and screw terminals for an addressable LED strip, with no soldering. It supports WS2812B, SK6812, WS2811, APA106, and SM16703 strips.
- Set effects and speed in Home Assistant
- Turn on music mode so the strip lights up during playback
- Split one strip into segments in ESPHome
Short strips can run from the device on a 5 V 3 A supply. Longer strips need their own 5 V supply. The LED strip guide covers wiring, power limits, and settings. Zach's Halloween porch project shows what LED effects tied to audio can do.
For control without a phone, CAST PRO-1 works with WiZmote remotes. Every button is configurable in Home Assistant, so one press can start the record player stream in every room.
CAST-1 vs. CAST PRO-1
- Audio in: CAST-1 none. CAST PRO-1 has a 3.5 mm Line In.
- Audio out: CAST-1 analog. CAST PRO-1 analog or optical.
- Ethernet: CAST-1 with the optional W5500 Ethernet HAT. CAST PRO-1 built in.
- LEDs: CAST-1 one status LED and solder pads. CAST PRO-1 four RGB LEDs and screw terminals.
- Remote: CAST PRO-1 works with WiZmote.
- Price: CAST-1 $34.99. CAST PRO-1 $68.99.
If you only need to make speakers smart, CAST-1 is still the easiest way to do it. If you want to bring a source into the system, or need optical or wired networking, get CAST PRO-1. They sync with each other, so you can mix them around the house. More on CAST-1 is in our CAST-1 launch post and CAST-1 review post.
CAST PRO-1 specs
- Audio out: 3.5 mm dual analog and optical jack, selected in Home Assistant. Analog uses a PCM5122 DAC. Optical needs a 3.5 mm to TOSLINK cable or adapter.
- Audio in: 3.5 mm Line In for line-level sources
- Network: built-in 10/100 Ethernet (data only, no PoE) and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
- Wireless: Bluetooth LE for Bluetooth proxy and Improv Wi-Fi setup
- Processor: ESP32-S3
- Power: USB-C, 5 V
- LEDs: 4 onboard RGB LEDs, plus screw terminals for addressable LEDs (WS2812B, SK6812, WS2811, APA106, SM16703)
- Remote: WiZmote, every button configurable in Home Assistant
- Software: open source ESPHome firmware with OTA updates. Works with Home Assistant and Music Assistant 2.10.7 or newer with Sendspin.
- In the box: CAST PRO-1 with case
Get started
- CAST PRO-1, $68.99 from Apollo Automation
- Also from Ameridroid (USA), The Pi Hut (UK), Domadoo (France), Domo-Supply (Switzerland), Slim Huisje (Netherlands), BerryBase (Germany), and SHG (Singapore)
- Getting started guide
- LED strip guide
- Music Assistant and Sendspin
- Apollo community forum
CAST PRO-1 FAQ
What is CAST PRO-1?
CAST PRO-1 is a network audio device from Apollo Automation with audio in and audio out. Plug a record player, CD player, or TV into its 3.5 mm Line In and it becomes a source in Music Assistant you can play in every room. It also plays music, announcements, and alerts to powered speakers or an amp over analog or optical out.
How do I stream a record player to multiple rooms?
Connect your record player, through a phono preamp, to the Line In on CAST PRO-1. In Music Assistant 2.10.7 or newer, play that source to any group of CAST PRO-1, CAST-1, or other Sendspin speakers, and it plays in sync in every room.
Do I need a phono preamp to connect a turntable?
Yes. The Line In is line level. A turntable needs a phono preamp, either built into the turntable or a separate one, before it connects to CAST PRO-1. CD players, TVs, and most other sources are already line level.
What can I plug into the Line In?
Any line-level source with a 3.5 mm or RCA output, using the right cable or adapter. That includes CD players, TVs, cassette decks, mixers, and turntables with a built-in or separate phono preamp.
Does CAST PRO-1 have optical audio out?
Yes. The 3.5 mm output jack is dual analog and optical, and you pick which one in Home Assistant. For optical, use a 3.5 mm to TOSLINK cable or adapter. Analog out uses a PCM5122 DAC.
What is the difference between CAST-1 and CAST PRO-1?
CAST PRO-1 adds a 3.5 mm Line In, optical out, built-in 10/100 Ethernet, four onboard RGB LEDs, screw terminals for addressable LED strips, and WiZmote remote support. CAST-1 is a smaller, analog-out-only player with optional Ethernet through a separate HAT. Both run ESPHome and sync over Sendspin.
Does CAST PRO-1 sync with CAST-1?
Yes. CAST PRO-1 syncs with other CAST PRO-1 units, CAST-1, and other Sendspin speakers through Music Assistant.
What do I need to use CAST PRO-1?
Home Assistant, Music Assistant 2.10.7 or newer, a USB-C 5 V power supply, and powered speakers or an amplifier. CAST PRO-1 has no built-in amplifier. A 5 V 1 A supply is enough, or 5 V 3 A if you run an LED strip from its terminals.
Does CAST PRO-1 support Ethernet and PoE?
It has built-in 10/100 Ethernet and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The Ethernet port is data only with no PoE, so CAST PRO-1 always needs USB-C power.
Can I connect an LED strip to CAST PRO-1?
Yes. Screw terminals for 5V, GND, and data connect an addressable LED strip with no soldering. It supports WS2812B, SK6812, WS2811, APA106, and SM16703 strips, with effects and a music mode you control in Home Assistant.
Does CAST PRO-1 work with a remote?
Yes. It works with WiZmote remotes, and every button can be set to any action in Home Assistant.
Does CAST PRO-1 need the cloud?
No. CAST PRO-1 runs open source ESPHome firmware and works 100% locally, with no cloud account and no subscription.
Thank you
Audio in is here because you asked for it. Thank you to everyone who sent feedback on CAST-1, and to the Music Assistant, Sendspin, ESPHome, and Home Assistant teams. Once your record player is playing in every room, show us your setup on the forum.
Apollo Automation designs, engineers, and manufactures privacy-first, locally-controlled smart home sensors in Versailles, Kentucky. Every product features 100% local control with no cloud dependencies or subscriptions required. Apollo is a Works With Home Assistant partner, Made For ESPHome certified, Works With Homey certified, a BBB Accredited Business, and the second official commercial partner of the Open Home Foundation. Learn more at apolloautomation.com.
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