More > JRiver Media Center 27 for Mac
multi channel audio from MC27 to Marantz SR-7007
HaWi:
Thank you so much wer,
That's a good point. Will turn bit streaming off and play around with the settings a bit more. Since using the MacBook is less than convenient I am considering this DAC
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-essence-hdacc-ii-4k-hdmi-dac.7171/
to connect my iMac to the AVR. I am thinking iMac>USB>DAC>HDMI>AVR(AUX)
Do you think that would work?
EDIT:
There is also this
https://www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/evolve-ii-4k-hdmi-v2-0-multi-channel-dac/
much cheaper but only has HDMI in. Would I be able to convert USB>HDMI from the iMAc or get the HDMI out from my iMac in any other way?
wer:
I'm glad to help Hawi.
If the core of the problem is that the computer that you're using for output to your receiver doesn't have HDMI, and you want multi-channel, then if it were me I would probably replace/upgrade the computer.
I don't see what that DAC would accomplish. Putting it in between the computer and the receiver would only make it into a very expensive USB to HDMI converter. So expensive, it makes it even more attractive to replace the Mac.
Or the same job could be done by one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-USB-HDMI-Adapter-External/dp/B00O6G5ZGI
https://www.amazon.com/j5create-Multi-Adapter-JCA374-Multi-Port-Compatible/dp/B01FI7PEH8
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Adapter-Black/dp/B00DRK2ZIK
That first one says it supports Mac, but I don't have one to test so you're on your own there. A bit of googling seems to indicate that different versions of MacOS cause compatibility problems with devices of this type. Also, some devices of that type say they only support 2-channel audio. But that first one says 5.1 audio (which is not very many channels for HDMI). The last two support 7.1 audio, if Apple doesn't break compatibility.
Here's one made by Apple:
https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/product/MUF82AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter
They don't say how many audio channels it supports. I've seen posts of people complaining they only got 2 channels out of it.
You might be able to find something better with a bit of searching, or a Mac person might be able to recommend something better.
Regarding replacing the Mac, everyone is very excited about the new Mac Mini, but there's a thread here on the forum where Bob is talking about it doesn't seem to support any sample rates other than 48kHz.
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,128318.msg891494.html#msg891494
That might be an OS issue, but if it persists it kind of cripples the Mini for audio playback.
Maybe time to switch to Windows for your HTPC? ;D
HaWi:
Thank you wer, you are very kind doing all this work for me. I really appreciate that and I am learning a lot too.
What I found out in the meantime is that by using the HDMi>AUX1 connection I get 5.1 (as the source) input but only analog and straight to the speakers, I guess. Not sure if this even a problem, as long as all the massaging is done by MC.
If I connect to the DVD or BluRay HDMI input on the AVR, I get an error that the signal is basically not processed enough to send to the AVR (I guess that's an issue with the HDMI Core Audio?) or it jut plays silent (not sure what to think about that). So my reasoning was that to get a more "processed" signal, a DAC might help. This indicates that I still don't understand the Audio path, right? I think I need to find out what "HDMI Core Audio" actually means and what signal that generates and if that is good enough to send straight to the AVR.
Thanks again for your help.
wer:
Yeah I'm guessing you're not understanding something...
--- Quote from: HaWi on February 06, 2021, 07:41:27 pm ---What I found out in the meantime is that by using the HDMi>AUX1 connection I get 5.1 (as the source) input but only analog and straight to the speakers, I guess.
--- End quote ---
I don't understand that statement, since HDMI is digital. So I have no idea what you mean by "but only analog and straight to the speakers".
--- Quote from: HaWi on February 06, 2021, 07:41:27 pm ---I get an error that the signal is basically not processed enough to send to the AVR (I guess that's an issue with the HDMI Core Audio?) or it jut plays silent (not sure what to think about that)
--- End quote ---
Error from what? I'm sure the error message doesn't actually say that. If you'd like to post a screenshot, or type in the error message verbatim, I will try to interpret.
--- Quote from: HaWi on February 06, 2021, 07:41:27 pm ---This indicates that I still don't understand the Audio path, right? I think I need to find out what "HDMI Core Audio" actually means and what signal that generates and if that is good enough to send straight to the AVR.
--- End quote ---
Very likely. "Core Audio" is just Apple's name for the audio processing layer in their OS. Read this:
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/MusicAudio/Conceptual/CoreAudioOverview/WhatisCoreAudio/WhatisCoreAudio.html
There is no deficiency in Core Audio itself (aside from those aforementioned issues with the M1 Mac Mini) that will prevent you from sending audio to your AVR.
Your Marantz has HDMI inputs. It understands all the normal HDMI audio formats, like the multichannel PCM that MC prefers to send.
Your iMac lacks an HDMI output, right? It's really as simple as that, isn't it?
So, if you don't want to replace the iMac, you need to give it a working HDMI port. Since your iMac DOES have USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt ports (it does, right?) then you need an HDMI adapter that will work with your iMac. Your iMac is within an HDMI cable's reach of the Marantz, isn't it?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding your actual goal, since you started out talking about DLNA. Don't you just want to get multichannel audio from the HTPC (the iMac) into the Marantz? If so, the answer is HDMI, via an adapter like I mentioned above.
HaWi:
--- Quote from: wer on February 06, 2021, 10:50:02 pm ---
I don't understand that statement, since HDMI is digital. So I have no idea what you mean by "but only analog and straight to the speakers".
Sorry, I got confused by the statement in the SR7007 manual (see attached). I guess what it means is that the signal coming through AUX1 is converted straight to analog without being able to further attach any changes (such as different replay modes)
Error from what? I'm sure the error message doesn't actually say that. If you'd like to post a screenshot, or type in the error message verbatim, I will try to interpret.
Very likely. "Core Audio" is just Apple's name for the audio processing layer in their OS. Read this:
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/MusicAudio/Conceptual/CoreAudioOverview/WhatisCoreAudio/WhatisCoreAudio.html
Again, my fault, I hadn't set up the audio output on the MacBook correctly (currently, I cannot find the setting in MC where I could choose to output PCM, either 16 or 24 bit, maybe a 0.61 issue?). Also, I did now set up 8ch/24bit/192kHz output in the MIDI setup. Also, I missed that I had to re-assign the HDMI inputs on the AVR. It's working now for Dolby Digital (AC3). For some reason, DSP studio seems to have a lot fewer options now.
There is no deficiency in Core Audio itself (aside from those aforementioned issues with the M1 Mac Mini) that will prevent you from sending audio to your AVR.
Your Marantz has HDMI inputs. It understands all the normal HDMI audio formats, like the multichannel PCM that MC prefers to send.
Your iMac lacks an HDMI output, right? It's really as simple as that, isn't it?
So, if you don't want to replace the iMac, you need to give it a working HDMI port. Since your iMac DOES have USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt ports (it does, right?) then you need an HDMI adapter that will work with your iMac. Your iMac is within an HDMI cable's reach of the Marantz, isn't it?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding your actual goal, since you started out talking about DLNA. Don't you just want to get multichannel audio from the HTPC (the iMac) into the Marantz? If so, the answer is HDMI, via an adapter like I mentioned above.
--- End quote ---
Yes, you are right, originally I thought I could do it via DLNA which turned out not to be possible (DLNA seems to be 2ch only). Now all I really need, as you correctly stated, is HDMI out from the iMac (I might replace that with a dedicated Mac Mini when they allow mch output)
I have ordered a converter but I am not sure that is going to work as my aged iMac only has Thunderbolt2 and all I could find was Displayport>HDMI converters. They say they're Thunderbolt2 compatible but I am skeptical.
Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it.
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