I've recently decided to upgrade my 7.1 setup to 7.1.4 and with those new Atmos channels, figured it would be fun to try out some spatial audio tracks. This started me looking at Apple and Tidal's spatial audio options and in turn down the rabbit hole of playing their hires audio tracks. (I understand I can get higher quality spatial audio on blu-ray - which I will try out - but streaming has its place too!). I've spent the last week googling and I'm no closer to an answer so I figured I'd ask the ASR crew as surely someone here has solved the puzzle..
In terms of existing equipment:

I'm hoping there's a "one device can do it all" answer, but if there is they need a new specialist to help their google rank!.. Assuming there isn't a one device can do all answer, my current vague thought for 2 channel is to buy a Topping DX5 as it got a good review here, has XLR outputs that I could run to the amp (and has a headphone port that my daughter could use with her new Focal headphones) - but that then leaves me wondering what the "streaming device" is I'd stick in front of it (and would that device be capable of sending Atmos stuff via HDMI and regular audio via USB?)..
The other requirement is I want to be able to drive this from the couch - so some sort of remote, or RDP to a PC or something is a must..
As an aside, I did look at the Apple TV 4k as that would get me the spatial tracks, but it's 2 channel output appears capped (and would have to go via hdmi where it would get further processing by the AVR) so that killed that as an option. I might be willing to pony up for a mac mini and a DAC, if it can split the spatial vs hires up happily - and there's a decent "running it from the couch" option..? That said - Apple Music's interface is awful so I'm leaning more towards Tidal at the moment.. Perhaps a Roon option or something (although they haven't entered into the world of Atmos from what I can see)?
Anyway - hopefully I've explained the dilemma well enough - open to any and all ideas (although sadly $'s aren't unlimited
)
Thanks in advance,
Steve.
In terms of existing equipment:
- my current receiver is an old (pre-Atmos) one, so will be being replaced with something new - once I decide what that something new is
. Open to suggestions if it will help solve this puzzle although I'm limited to something around a Denon AVR-X3800h / Yamaha RX-A6A pricepoint.
- I also have a 3 channel amp running my LCR channels - which has RCA and XLR inputs.
- 2 channel tracks - "streaming device with quality DAC" (or "streaming device -> USB -> quality DAC") -> XLR (or RCA) -> Amp -> speakers..
- Atmos tracks - "streaming device" -> HDMI - Atmos Receiver -> speakers
I'm hoping there's a "one device can do it all" answer, but if there is they need a new specialist to help their google rank!.. Assuming there isn't a one device can do all answer, my current vague thought for 2 channel is to buy a Topping DX5 as it got a good review here, has XLR outputs that I could run to the amp (and has a headphone port that my daughter could use with her new Focal headphones) - but that then leaves me wondering what the "streaming device" is I'd stick in front of it (and would that device be capable of sending Atmos stuff via HDMI and regular audio via USB?)..
The other requirement is I want to be able to drive this from the couch - so some sort of remote, or RDP to a PC or something is a must..
As an aside, I did look at the Apple TV 4k as that would get me the spatial tracks, but it's 2 channel output appears capped (and would have to go via hdmi where it would get further processing by the AVR) so that killed that as an option. I might be willing to pony up for a mac mini and a DAC, if it can split the spatial vs hires up happily - and there's a decent "running it from the couch" option..? That said - Apple Music's interface is awful so I'm leaning more towards Tidal at the moment.. Perhaps a Roon option or something (although they haven't entered into the world of Atmos from what I can see)?
Anyway - hopefully I've explained the dilemma well enough - open to any and all ideas (although sadly $'s aren't unlimited
Thanks in advance,
Steve.
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