I have a Qobuz music streaming account. I also have some active speakers ( Beolab 6000 ) I would like to explore the option of feeding the speakers from a suitable line output signal derived from my tv, ( Sony XH9505.) It looks like the only free outputs available are hdmi. ( There is an optical out but its already in use feeding the sony sound bar/ sub woofer system ) Any suggestions as to how the hdmi can be converted to line audio out to feed the active speaker? Also, am I likely to get the full high definition sound this way. The alternative is to skip the tv and use a dedicated streamer, which would be fine, but I'm interested if the tv output could be used if anyone can kindly advise..
Streaming Qobuz from TV?
- Thread starter jonm01
- Start date
Just thinking out loud here...
-Is the TV output better quality than Qobuz on a phone or computer?
-Is it possible to split the optical?
-Is the TV output better quality than Qobuz on a phone or computer?
-Is it possible to split the optical?
I don't know how good the tv output is compared to the phone or computer. Not sure if optical can be split?
Honestly, you're better off getting a dedicated streamer such as a Wiim (£149) or my choice for quality would be the Escape M1 Air Streamer (£99).
"Why not the TV?" Here's why (and please bear in mind that we haven't got details of your sound bar and who else might be using the gear, so some of this might not be relevant to your case specifically)
Sony makes it difficult to have multiple audio outputs on the TV at the same time. Your physical output options are Optical, ARC/eARC, and headphone out. There's also Bluetooth out, but you'd be better to avoid that for a paid-for streaming account. I thought about suggesting an ARC/eARC audio extractor, but having that running at the same time as optical seems to be a problem. This could be related to the second issue.
The second issue is that the Sony won't output Dolby Digital and PCM at the same time via different digital outs. There's only one DAC. The Qobuz stream would have to be converted to PCM (digital stereo). If you use Dolby Digital for 5.1 on the sound bar, potentially, that sets up a conflict. It could result in you having to change the settings each time you switch from sound bar to Qobuz streaming. You can imaging what a PITA that would become.
I also thought about the refuge of last resort - the headphone output. Besides the drop in quality (poor audio out circuits for a lesser used feature), we also come back to the problem of multiple outputs for digital sources.
"What about splitting the optical out?" - It's possible. Optical splitters do exist. There are cheap ones for under £15. The results are mixed. It's a bit of a lottery if they'll work. The good ones such as the CYP AU-D12 are £40 to £60. They're reliable and not so fussy about the quality of the partnering optical leads. You'll still need a DAC to convert digital stereo to analogue stereo for the Beolab speakers. There are cheap DACs on Amazon and eBay from around £15, but it's true, you do get what you pay for.
Before you jump on the optical splitter solution, remember about Dolby Digital. Most stereo audio DACs won't understand the DD CODEC, and so you'll need to switch from DD to PCM and back each time you swap uses.
"Anything else?" - Well, yes. Practicality. TVs aren't well designed to be audio-only devices. Some have a 'screen off' feature that allows audio to continue but with the screen muted. If your TV has this, and how you access it vary between brands and models. Remembering how to access this and navigating the sometimes convoluted menu tree to get there might not be the most user-friendly operation, especially if only used occasionally. The alternative is leaving the screen on which some find a bit distracting.
Personally, I'd go with a dedicated streamer. Let the TV do TV things, and let an audio device operated from anyone's smart phone ap do audio things.
"Why not the TV?" Here's why (and please bear in mind that we haven't got details of your sound bar and who else might be using the gear, so some of this might not be relevant to your case specifically)
Sony makes it difficult to have multiple audio outputs on the TV at the same time. Your physical output options are Optical, ARC/eARC, and headphone out. There's also Bluetooth out, but you'd be better to avoid that for a paid-for streaming account. I thought about suggesting an ARC/eARC audio extractor, but having that running at the same time as optical seems to be a problem. This could be related to the second issue.
The second issue is that the Sony won't output Dolby Digital and PCM at the same time via different digital outs. There's only one DAC. The Qobuz stream would have to be converted to PCM (digital stereo). If you use Dolby Digital for 5.1 on the sound bar, potentially, that sets up a conflict. It could result in you having to change the settings each time you switch from sound bar to Qobuz streaming. You can imaging what a PITA that would become.
I also thought about the refuge of last resort - the headphone output. Besides the drop in quality (poor audio out circuits for a lesser used feature), we also come back to the problem of multiple outputs for digital sources.
"What about splitting the optical out?" - It's possible. Optical splitters do exist. There are cheap ones for under £15. The results are mixed. It's a bit of a lottery if they'll work. The good ones such as the CYP AU-D12 are £40 to £60. They're reliable and not so fussy about the quality of the partnering optical leads. You'll still need a DAC to convert digital stereo to analogue stereo for the Beolab speakers. There are cheap DACs on Amazon and eBay from around £15, but it's true, you do get what you pay for.
Before you jump on the optical splitter solution, remember about Dolby Digital. Most stereo audio DACs won't understand the DD CODEC, and so you'll need to switch from DD to PCM and back each time you swap uses.
"Anything else?" - Well, yes. Practicality. TVs aren't well designed to be audio-only devices. Some have a 'screen off' feature that allows audio to continue but with the screen muted. If your TV has this, and how you access it vary between brands and models. Remembering how to access this and navigating the sometimes convoluted menu tree to get there might not be the most user-friendly operation, especially if only used occasionally. The alternative is leaving the screen on which some find a bit distracting.
Personally, I'd go with a dedicated streamer. Let the TV do TV things, and let an audio device operated from anyone's smart phone ap do audio things.
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