Getting my TV audio into my 2.1 channel system

[Wunderphones]

For the last several years, my stereo has been set up with an SMSL M500 running straight into a) a Purifi power amp driving my speakers via the XLR outs, and b) an SVS subwoofer via the RCAs.

The inputs of the SMSL are thusly occupied:

1. USB: Raspberry Pi streamer (mostly from Roon server over Ethernet, but some AirPlay)
2. Coax: Digital DJ mixer
3. Optical: Vacant

My TV has two audio outputs: Optical and ARC.

I ran the optical out from the TV to the M500's optical in, and experienced dropouts periodically--often enough to be unlistenable. I got a different cable, just to see if it made a difference. It didn't.

I don't know for sure that it's the TV's optical out that's the problem or the M500's optical in. But I think that's more likely.

So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get audio from the TV's ARC output into my 2.1 system. I'm not committed to keeping the M500, if the best answer is just "buy a DAC with an (e)ARC input." But I wondered whether, for example, using an external converter to change the ARC output to optical, I might get around the TV's shoddy optical implementation.

 

[staticV3]

So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get audio from the TV's ARC output into my 2.1 system. I'm not committed to keeping the M500, if the best answer is just "buy a DAC with an (e)ARC input." But I wondered whether, for example, using an external converter to change the ARC output to optical, I might get around the TV's shoddy optical implementation.

In my case, an ARC to Optical converter was equally unstable as straight from Optical.

I see two possible solutions:

A. Buy a DAC with XLR+RCA Line out, ESS DAC chip, and most importantly: a DPLL setting in the DAC's menu.

This allows you to make the output stable even with poor quality Optical output.

Manufacturers that make these include JDS, SMSL, and Topping. Check the respective user manuals to see whether the DPLL option is present.

B. Buy a DAC with ARC input, for example WiiM Ultra, Fosi ZD3, miniDSP Flex HT/HTx, SMSL DO100 Pro etc.

 

[Apesbrain]

Also, check your TV's digital audio output settings to see if any options. For instance, some offer "PCM" vs. "Bitstream" and one works better than the other.

 

[Ruediger]

And try to set the bitrate. Try low options too.

 

[Wunderphones]

A. Buy a DAC with XLR+RCA Line out, ESS DAC chip, and most importantly: a DPLL setting in the DAC's menu.

This allows you to make the output stable even with poor quality Optical output.

Turns out my M500 lets me do this, and I never knew.

Bumping up the DPLL a few notches seems to have solved the problem. This was a much, much easier fix than I had hoped. Thanks.