How to stream 5.1 flac files from hard drive to digital in on receivers

[KPdeak]

I am a new member as of a few days ago. I don't know where to ask this question or where to look. This is all a bit overwhelming.
I would like to stream flac/dsf files on a hard drive to digital receiver (example: Harmon Kardon AVR320) with digital audio inputs. If I sent the output of my computer via the spdif cable, it plays only in stereo. How do you get around this problem?
(Note: I do play all of my 5.1 flac/dsf files via a usb input on my Oppo connected to my old Marantz 4400 but I am looking for a solution that does not require the Oppo for friends who want to join the surround sound world.)

 

[omnipotent1]

Lots of ways tbh.
A streamer with an hdmi output like an Eversolo DMP 6 or Zidoo 9x if you want hardware based
These have phone apps to select tracks etc.
or you can even use a 4k max Firestick w/ Kodi
check out this thread.
https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-for-surround-music.35316/page-13#post-766131
Or you can use a server/NAS
If having a pc/notebook involved is ok then you have programs like Jriver

Hardware based streamers like the aforementioned Eversolo/Zidoo tend to be the easiest to deal with if you're not tech savvy
As they are pretty much plug and play w/ phone apps for selecting albums/tracks etc

 

[marpow]

Are you able to output from PC USB A to B Cable, this is what I use.
Also does your receiver have a 7.1 section in back?
I am sure you can do it, just always tricky unlocking our individual player codes.
Mine is PC>JRiver>USB A_B out>to DAC RCA cables out to 7.1 section in back of my AVR.
I can also go HDMI out also, but I only use the HDMI out for MKV ATMOS and Video files.
Everything comes from files stored in my NAS.

 

[mandrix]

HDMI from pc to AVR for me. I use a variety of apps, from Foobar to VLC to PowerDVD Ultra. But Windows has apps built in that seem to work OK.
Don't use my disc players all that much these days.

 

[somethingcleveridunno]

If it's close enough to run an HDMI cable, just use an HDMI cable.

Otherwise check your existing devices to see if they support DLNA. Could be a blu ray player, a video game console... if so, read up on how to configure that on both ends, and there's your solution.

Third would be a streaming device like a WiiM.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

If I sent the output of my computer via the spd.if cable, it plays only in stereo. How do you get around this problem?

You need a computer with an HDMI output in order to do this. Your computer should be able to send multi-channel FLAC as a multi-channel PCM stream over to your AVR's HDMI input.

Note that it's not possible to send a DSD bitstream via HDMI from a computer to an AVR. Sony made sure of this!

 

[KPdeak]

My computer and AVR are old. Neither have HDMI. Both have digital optical.
I could get a new laptop with HDMI but I don't really want to buy another receiver.

 

[ssully]

My computer and AVR are old. Neither have HDMI. Both have digital optical.
I could get a new laptop with HDMI but I don't really want to buy another receiver.

Sorry, but you'll need an HDMI output on your computer and HDMI input on your AVR for full multichannel file compatibility.

The only multichannel audio that S/PDIF can pass is Dolby Digital or DTS (lossy), and it has to be passed as a raw data stream (a 'bitstream'), not decoded audio. That means using WASAPI or ASIO output in your computer to ensure bit-perfect output. From there, your AVR will do the decoding of the bitstream to multichannel audio. Again, you will only be able to play multichannel lossy DD or DTS files (and of course, plain stereo files too ).

What audio player software do you use on your computer?

(The only other, highly contrived , way I can imagine for you to play lossless mch audio from you setup would be to install software that encodes your lossless multichannel files to DD or DTS before bitstream output to your receiver)

 

[DrKlahn]

I used an Nvidia Shield with VLC loaded. Plays everything I throw at it up to an including Atmos .mkv files. Similar setup to what @omnipotent1 posted.

 

[ssully]

I used an Nvidia Shield with VLC loaded. Plays everything I throw at it up to an including Atmos .mkv files. Similar setup to what @omnipotent1 posted.

Ain't gonna help if he doesn't have HDMI.

 

[DrKlahn]

Ain't gonna help if he doesn't have HDMI.

Oh sure bring that whole reality thing into it why don't you.

Seriously though, my bad for skimming. HDMI has been out so long that unless you're doing a vintage setup, just didn't cross my mind.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

My computer and AVR are old. Neither have HDMI. Both have digital optical.
I could get a new laptop with HDMI but I don't really want to buy another receiver.

If you do get yourself a newer laptop make sure it has an onboard HDMI port. Newer laptops fitted with USB-C ports can't pass multi-channel audio via a USB-C hub/dock!

 

[barfle]

My computer and AVR are old. Neither have HDMI. Both have digital optical.
I could get a new laptop with HDMI but I don't really want to buy another receiver.

You could probably get away with a graphics card with an HDMI output.

 

[James Hoffmann]

I have a Yamaha 5.1 AVR with HDMI that I found for $50 in a thrift store. Full capability for doing this. You should also be able to get a laptop with HDMI new on Amazon for under $200 with a bit of searching (cheaper at a thrift store or pawn shop).
This Lenovo laptop will do what you want (and a lot more), and is Windows 11 to boot! The refurb is $220.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B6F1NNR

 

[KPdeak]

If you do get yourself a newer laptop make sure it has an onboard HDMI port. Newer laptops fitted with USB-C ports can't pass multi-channel audio via a USB-C hub/dock!

really? Thanks for the heads up. I wouldn't have been aware of that.

 

[KPdeak]

Sorry, but you'll need an HDMI output on your computer and HDMI input on your AVR for full multichannel file compatibility.

The only multichannel audio that S/PDIF can pass is Dolby Digital or DTS (lossy), and it has to be passed as a raw data stream (a 'bitstream'), not decoded audio. That means using WASAPI or ASIO output in your computer to ensure bit-perfect output. From there, your AVR will do the decoding of the bitstream to multichannel audio. Again, you will only be able to play multichannel lossy DD or DTS files (and of course, plain stereo files too ).

What audio player software do you use on your computer?

(The only other, highly contrived , way I can imagine for you to play lossless mch audio from you setup would be to install software that encodes your lossless multichannel files to DD or DTS before bitstream output to your receiver)

I don't really use my computer to play multi-channel because of this problem but I do have VLC, JRiver, MediaMonkey and Foobar2000 which I use to backup my sacd/dvd/blu-ray to flac and tag them. Then I put those flac (and dsf,dts) files on a hard drive and play them thru my Oppo.

 

[KPdeak]

One friend suggested this (https://a.co/d/0mahoF2) as a solution.
Have any of you tried this device? It looks promising.

5.1 Surround Sound Decoder Separator Converter for DTS AC3, 4K 60Hz HDMI 3 in 1 Out, HDCP 2.2 HDR, Digital Analog Audio Video System 192Khz/24Bit, with BT-5.0 Receiver (Black, 4K 60Hz)​

 

[Sal1950]

One friend suggested this (https://a.co/d/0mahoF2) as a solution.
Have any of you tried this device? It looks promising.

5.1 Surround Sound Decoder Separator Converter for DTS AC3, 4K 60Hz HDMI 3 in 1 Out, HDCP 2.2 HDR, Digital Analog Audio Video System 192Khz/24Bit, with BT-5.0 Receiver (Black, 4K 60Hz)​

What do you expect this to do for you?
The only inputs it has that support multich are HDMI.
Do you use a PC or Laptop? If PC you could upgrade it to a sound/video card with HDMI out and then use that box to get 5.1 to your reciever.
Sorry to say so partner but it's really time to start looking to new gear if you want to get into multich.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

One friend suggested this (https://a.co/d/0mahoF2) as a solution.
Have any of you tried this device? It looks promising.

If it's able to receive multi-channel (PCM) audio via HDMI and convert it to multi-channel analogue and pass it via the RCA outputs, that would mean you could keep your Harmon Kardon AVR320 AVR...

Personally, I'm interested in such devices

Maybe these might also work:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Decoder-Extractor-Bluetooth-Coaxial/dp/B0C4YB3325/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surround-Separator-Converter-Bluetooth-Receiver/dp/B0C3RDHL6Y/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/RSGK-Converter-Decoder-Extractor-Splitter/dp/B08R2TBXLM/

 

[Sal1950]

One friend suggested this (https://a.co/d/0mahoF2) as a solution.
Have any of you tried this device? It looks promising.

5.1 Surround Sound Decoder Separator Converter for DTS AC3, 4K 60Hz HDMI 3 in 1 Out, HDCP 2.2 HDR, Digital Analog Audio Video System 192Khz/24Bit, with BT-5.0 Receiver (Black, 4K 60Hz)​

Just thinkin, the best news here is that HDMI has been around on recievers for quite a few years now.
If you don't require Atmos or some other very new codexs, you can probalby find a used recieiver in you local pawn show for pocket change. Heck Crutchfield has brand new Sonys for $250, maybe find a scratch & dent for less.
Good luck