Audiopraise VanityPRO

[DigiPete]

Streaming surround music to AES / S/PFIF . . . 

I've been looking for ways to stream surround Tidal or Apple music, and just strip the 5.1 or 7.1 PCM and output it digitally to my Genelec SAM setup.
Looking to avoid an expensive and mostly useless AVR.
The VanityPRO could be the gateway . . .

I assume that then depends on IF:

• the source can be set to output the 6-8 PCM channels
• Tidal or Apple or other streaming source accepts to send Atmos or just the PCM

Sources could be 

• Apple TV 4K
• Chromecast with Google TV
• Fire TV Stick 4K
• Roku Ultra

Do I need a splitter + a "fake" Atmos dongle or something?

Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks

[DigiPete]

2 hours ago, vortecjr said:

I have been using the Apple TV 4K and it’s streaming multichannel PCM (up to 8 channels) and stereo PCM interchangeably based on source content. 
 

The short answer about Atmos is that it’s not supported. This is based on my understanding that all the devices in the audio chain need to support Atmos. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Atmos protocol allows the source to decoded Atmos content and stream it as PCM. This device is really intended for PCM and DSD streaming.

Cool, so can you say which services that allows you to stream 5.1 or 7.1 with ONLY the Apple TV 4K and VanityPRO connected.
As in: with NO Dolby Atmos AVR or TV connected.

This is the core of my challenge.
Thanks

[DigiPete]

7 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I should have an article about this done this week.
Let me know what things people want me to try. So far this thing is really cool. 

I'm really interested in what it takes to stream surround media through this thing.
AVR's are crap and unreasonable expensive on top.

Questions:

• How little HW can we get away with, if we just want the 5.1 or 7.1 PCM out of the different music and video streaming services?
• What are the best little streamers (mentioned above)?
• Can anything "fake" the streaming service to deliver (probably) Atmos, so we can extract the PCM? 
• And how high quality can we get from the different combinations?

Funny, I really just wanna pay for streaming . . .
But I may be forced rip / download surround streaming to benefit.
All driven by the same stupid paranoia as in the Napster days.
I hope there is a way!
 

[DigiPete]

3 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I haven’t had a disc spinner for over a decade. 

I only spin once.
To rip surround music from mostly Blu-rays.
 

[DigiPete]

Latest experiences:
Chain: Mac - USB-C - Motu 8D DDC - AES - Genelec

- Apple Music app: plays 5.1 form Dolby Atmos tracks, with absolutely no Atmos device in the chain.

- Tidal app: Stereo and no mention of Atmos

- Netflix in Safari: Stereo and no mention of 5.1

[DigiPete]

13 hours ago, Kal Rubinson said:

Is that a big trick?  I thought the big trick was play Atmos as Atmos without anything Apple in the chain

I suppose we are all looking for different tricks.

I would absolutely love to stream as many channels as possible, but without an AVR and directly into AES.
BUT I also have to accept that Dolby and their army of lawyers will crack down hard on any SW or HW attempting to calculate the height channels without a license. And they will probably not license SW any time soon. 
IMO Dolby has build a monopoly with an inferior product (compared to Auro), and they will kick and fight to keep it like that.

The (realistic) trick I'm looking for is to:

• stream 5.1 or 7.1 PCM from any platform 
• music & movies
• at the highest sampling freq. and bit depth offered
• using Mac/PC and/or Apple TV / Fire TV or similar 
• directly to AES/EBU on a PRO DDC or similar

I totally love that surround can now be streamed, but I'm not happy to be forced to buy more sub-par Dolby Atmos labelled and expensive boxes just to be allowed to stream the PCM part.

[DigiPete]

On 2/26/2022 at 11:02 AM, R1200CL said:

Can you create a thread tell us how ? 

I can do better - I'll direct you to Quadraphonicquad - the central hub for all surround stuff.
Here is a good thread to start you off: Converting MCH discs 101: Overview

While I love 'Quad' for all the useful info (and yes we are some CA's there), I still lack the razor focus on high end I find here.
Let's hope the mix will send us on a good projectory!

Man, I've been waiting over 10 years for streaming Multi Channel to AES . . . .  🙄


PS Don't miss the 'Surround Poll Charts' to find the best sounding recordings

 

[DigiPete]

24 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Pete! I plan on only focusing on Atmos for audiophiles. I won't even have a screen in my listening room :~)

 

I want to reproduce what the artist intended, whether that's two channels or 7.1.4. 

 

Are you doing multichannel to AES right now?

 

Hey Chris

I've been doing 5.1 from ripped files direct to AES since 2011!
My Genelec SAM series monitors has AES direct input (as well as analogue XLR), so this has been my goal from the get go.
And yes - Genelec SAM's are still insane value for the money if you want high-end! 👍

Weiss AFI1 DDC was my daily driver for years, but the proprietary driver didn't get updated, so I had to give up this great HW.
I talked to Daniel Weiss, but nothing can be done short of running a very old computer with old OS.
Interface chip company went bust 😒

The modern Motu 8D DDC is my new go-to, with no obsoletion in sight. And at $595 / €645 it's an absolute steal.
And it can naturally be daisy chained for more channels - gotta love PRO audio!
For my use, it's an absolute gem with 8 channels out - 4 AES and 4 S/PDIFF (with converters to AES), and it sounds just as glorious.

Tidal multi-channel / Atmos is my challenge, so I'm following AS with renewed interest!
Yes, Apple music will give me 5.1, but I way prefer Tidal's offerings. 
It would be so awesome! 😃