How to play four channel digital files from a computer through vintage quadraphonic receiver?

[furui_suterioo]

Hello, this is my first post. I downloaded several quad recordings which are in 4-channel flac, dvd-a and mkv, if I play them through VLC will only the front channels play? Is there a way to convert them to two-channel sq/rm encoded files so I can play them from my computer to my quad receiver, or do i have to get a 4 channel sound card and play in discrete?

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Hello, this is my first post. I downloaded several quad recordings which are in 4-channel flac, dvd-a and mkv, if I play them through VLC will only the front channels play? Is there a way to convert them to two-channel sq/rm encoded files so I can play them from my computer to my quad receiver, or do i have to get a 4 channel sound card and play in discrete?

Yes, you will need a four channel card. 10 years ago, there were a few on the market. Other members here have pointed to some external boxes, and should be able to give you better information.

Most new computers have HDMI out, for modern amplifiers. Unfortunately, last I looked, there are no HDMI to RCA converter box or solution. Also for streaming audio, there is Foobar 2000, a free program.

If you search the threads here, there is a lot of info about cards and such.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Perhaps something like this:

Behringer U-Phoria UMC404H
https://www.google.com/search?q=Beh...pie=plaji-i&scso=_cTrDW5yeLIyl8AP9_7yoCA30:54

 

[skherbeck]

Here's an HDMI to analog converter that works really well; I have the HDMI from my laptop feed into this box, then run the RCAs out to my powered speakers (this is for my portable system):

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI-LPCM-Analog-Surround-Decoder/dp/B071KXR3G2

If you have a surround sound capable receiver, just run the HDMI directly from your laptop to the receiver.
Foobar is your best bet for playing back your quad and 5.1 multichannel files.

 

[jimfisheye]

Hello, this is my first post. I downloaded several quad recordings which are in 4-channel flac, dvd-a and mkv, if I play them through VLC will only the front channels play? Is there a way to convert them to two-channel sq/rm encoded files so I can play them from my computer to my quad receiver, or do i have to get a 4 channel sound card and play in discrete?

The device that connects to your computer's firewire, USB, or thunderbolt port and has audio inputs and outputs is called an audio interface. Think of an HDMI surround receiver as an audio interface, preamp unit, and amplifiers in the same box. If you have just a 'vintage' receiver (ie preamp and amps) version of that, you need a separate audio interface.

These are two lower budget (but professional and higher quality than most consumer electronics) examples that have at least 4 or 6 output channels:
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 $260 new $150 used
Presonus Audiobox 44vsl $200 new $120 used *** This one only has 4 analog outputs! Would do quad for you though.

Moving into the "If you have to ask..." territory:
Apogee Element 46 $900 new (6 analog outputs)
Looks like you can get an Apogee Rosetta 800 (8 analog outputs, 8 analog inputs + some digital I/O) for $500 used. That's a pretty sweet price for this level of DA and AD converters. This thing went for over $2000 new!
Not even going to look at Prism right now...

That B-word product mentioned above... It's not just going to sound bad. Behringer's issue is ratty cheapness. Something will break quickly.
The HDMI interface mentioned... Boy that looks cheap! Just little 1/8" unbalanced connections for the audio? Any shenanigans going on with the HDMI connections? There's opportunity for copy protection gone wild here. Feeding an HDMI input on something from a thunderbolt port is one thing but all HDMI on both ends is asking for frustration.

The modern thunderbolt to HDMI connection to a surround receiver is slick. As long as you have a newer than 2010 computer, an HDMI surround receiver, and you didn't fall for some of the scammy products with HDMI inputs with audio disabled and the like.
A separate audio interface always works. You could go back to a circa 2000 computer and plug in a USB or firewire model and it will just work. (Or get one of the new generation of budget computers with circa 2000 specs and only a USB port!)

 

[winopener]

Here's an HDMI to analog converter that works really well; I have the HDMI from my laptop feed into this box, then run the RCAs out to my powered speakers (this is for my portable system):

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI-LPCM-Analog-Surround-Decoder/dp/B071KXR3G2

If you have a surround sound capable receiver, just run the HDMI directly from your laptop to the receiver.
Foobar is your best bet for playing back your quad and 5.1 multichannel files.

Using the same hdmi2analog and Foobar, all works ok.
The only caveat is to check out carefully what kind of hdmi audio your pc chipset does support: amd = no problem, intel = some do only 48/16, some other do 192/24.
Other than that, just set up the HDMI audio properties as Quadraphonic and the system will do the necessary downmix, if needed (for example playing a 5.1 file on a quad setup) without ANY futzing with Foobar channel mixer and so on.

 

[SoS]

Perhaps something like this:

Behringer U-Phoria UMC404H
https://www.google.com/search?q=Behringer+U-Phoria+UMC404HD&oq=Behringer U-Phoria+UMC404HD &aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60j69i65j0l3.1944j0j7&client=ms-android-americamovil-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i&scso=_cTrDW5yeLIyl8AP9_7yoCA30:54

I got a 404HD and purchased Reaper software to go with it. After a lot of configuration learning and trial & errrrrrrror it works very well. Both quadraphonic 8 tracks and 4 track reel to reels get processed easily. And feeding the digitized files back to an recreates the sound fairly nicely.
Of course I now need to pull my 8 track player and rewire my car for the Behringer.

 

[furui_suterioo]

I got a 404HD and purchased Reaper software to go with it. After a lot of configuration learning and trial & errrrrrrror it works very well. Both quadraphonic 8 tracks and 4 track reel to reels get processed easily. And feeding the digitized files back to an recreates the sound fairly nicely.
Of course I now need to pull my 8 track player and rewire my car for the Behringer.

I plan on getting one of those Behringers soon so I can start recording quad decoders, stereo records etc. Do you plan on having a PC in the car to use the Behringer? I have been been home recording Q8s using a cheap 5.1 interface box planning to play in the car but just have not installed the player yet, not very many aftermarket options for discrete surround in the car unfortunately.