Help on connecting AppleTV output to speakers?

[pritster5]

I recently noticed that when my speakers (Yamaha hs5's) are connected to my MacBook, they sound way better than when connected to my projector.

My projector is an old Epson wxga 4750W. I'm guessing the DAC built into the projector (HDMI input -> 3.5mm output) isn't high quality, given the difference in sound.

I would like to use the projector solely for video and send the audio to a DAC that can connect directly to my speakers.

How can do this and maximize audio fidelity?

The solution I was thinking of was as follows:
1. HDMI audio extractor
2. Male HDMI to female USB C adapter
3. Apple USB C to 3.5mm dongle (because this has an amazing DAC for the price)
4. 3.5mm cable to Speaker 1/4" input.

 

[staticV3]

2. Male HDMI to female USB C adapter
3. Apple USB C to 3.5mm dongle (because this has an amazing DAC for the price)

That won't work.

The Apple Headphone adapter is a USB accessory and as such, can only receive audio from a USB Host device. Something like a PC, laptop, phone, tablet, or single board computer (Raspberry Pi etc).

No HDMI Extractor or HDMI adapter that I'm aware of can function as a USB host.

What you could do is HDMI Extractor->SPDIF->DAC->Yamaha HS5.

There are some great DACs <$100 nowadays, e.g. JDS Atom DAC, SMSL SU-1, SMSL PS200, Khadas Tone.

 

[pritster5]

Ah thanks for that info.

Alternatively, HDMI extractors have optical outs on them, so I could use an optical to 3.5mm converter with a high quality dac to send audio to speakers

 

[pritster5]

Btw, does anyone know of an HDMI Extractor that works well with the Apple TV 4k?

This one doesn't work at all, even though the Apple TV 4k is the 4th generation, not the 3rd gen: https://a.co/d/btiLtEM

 

[JSmith]

HDMI Extractor

HDFury... but pretty expensive. Cheaper ones can be a bit hit and miss with some aspects, but generally work. Using digital out as you plan is best with those.


JSmith

 

[krabapple]

I recently noticed that when my speakers (Yamaha hs5's) are connected to my MacBook, they sound way better than when connected to my projector.

My projector is an old Epson wxga 4750W. I'm guessing the DAC built into the projector (HDMI input -> 3.5mm output) isn't high quality, given the difference in sound.

I doubt the DAC is the problem.

If the sound is 'way better' I suspect there is some sound setting difference between the two (could be a simple output level difference, or some EQ option 'ON' in one or the other), or there's something cruddy about the 3.5mm output jack (needs cleaning or is loose).

You'll save yourself a lot of work by just ruling these out first.

 

[DVDdoug]

They sound way better.

Better how? And are you comparing the exact same recordings at the same volume?

Imagined differences are more common than you might think and/or we often perceive other differences when the only difference is volume. Even experts and "audiophiles" are often fooled... Especially audiophiles...

I'm always skeptical when someone isn't specific. You didn't say there's background noise, or no bass from the projector, or audio dropouts, or anything like that...

Noise is the most common problem (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) but you would have mentioned that. Usually with electronics, frequency response and distortion are better than human hearing. (Speakers almost never have flat frequency response.)

Or as krabapple suggested, maybe there is bass boost or some other effect on the headphone output.

 

[staticV3]

Btw, does anyone know of an HDMI Extractor that works well with the Apple TV 4k?

Try this one:

Amazon Basics 4K HDMI Extractor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Amazon Basics 4K HDMI extractor. Member kindly purchased and drop shipped it to me. It normally costs $22.89 but was on sale for just $5!!! The case is the standard metal one for these kinds of adapters. Power is provided with a supplied USB-A...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[pritster5]

Better how? And are you comparing the exact same recordings at the same volume?

Imagined differences are more common than you might think and/or we often perceive other differences when the only difference is volume. Even experts and "audiophiles" are often fooled... Especially audiophiles...

I'm always skeptical when someone isn't specific. You didn't say there's background noise, or no bass from the projector, or audio dropouts, or anything like that...

Noise is the most common problem (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) but you would have mentioned that. Usually with electronics, frequency response and distortion are better than human hearing. (Speakers almost never have flat frequency response.)

Or as krabapple suggested, maybe there is bass boost or some other effect on the headphone output.

As far as I can tell, even at volume matched levels, the bass is way more impactful and audible at lower frequencies off the MacBook.

In this case, it may be that the MacBook is also applying some pre-amping (proven to be the case with the Apple dongle from USBC to 3.5mm).

I know that with dynamic drivers (yamaha hs5 speakers) impedance varies with frequency, and lower frequencies need more power, so it could be that the projector isn't transmitting a signal with enough power. In this case, I'd need to have a preamplifier in the circuit, but I'd rather not have to rely on the projector analog out in the first place, hence the dedicated DAC.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

I use this audio extractor between my AppleTV 4K and my Samsung TV:

AX210 HDMI 2.1 Audio Extractor (Toslink & Aux) | 4K 120Hz | ARC

AX210 HDMI 2.1 Audio Extractor (Toslink & Aux): Optimize your sound at 4K 120Hz HDMI Audio Extractor for sound output from player or TV (HDMI-ARC) Audio output via SPDIF Toslink (digital) and 3.5 mm jack (analog) EDID management to control the maximum audio and video formats Supports video...

feintech.eu

Previously I had the AppleTV connected to the Samsung TV and audio extraction was done in my cheap TV.

Feintech audio extraction is higher quality, sound is cleared and cleaner, and I didn’t loose eARC & CEC which help me to turn on/off both at the same time.