Need recommendation for tv audio

[hansy]

Hello,
I just bought a sony bravia tv and learned that there is no analog/headphone out jack to hook up my genelec speakers.
Normally I use the analog out headphone jack. I guess tv's don't even come with those jacks anymore. The tv has a digital audio out 3.5mm and it may even be optical.

Anyway, so what I need is a product/device that will take the digital audio out from the tv and push it to my speakers. I have 2 speakers. And maybe I'd like to add a subwoofer.

I see these large entertainment systems/receivers like 7.2 channels stuff and it seems like far more than i need. i only have 2 speakers and a subwoofer. do i really need an av receiver?

So any recommendations are appreciated. I just want to take the digital output from the tv and push it to my speakers and subwoofer so i need a dac and some amplificaiton, but i don'tneed fancy dts atmos and all these other things i have no idea about, do i?

oh, and i need a remote to adjust volume.

Thanks for any suggestions!!!

 

[coonmanx]

Hmmm, I would say to just get a cheap DAC from Parts Express. The only issue with that may be the need for a remote. Not sure how you can get around that. Unless there is some sort of device for controlling volume that could be put in between the DAC and the Genelecs...

Or maybe a DAC that comes with a remote... Something like this maybe...

 

[Gyosa1]

WiiM ultra would do the trick .

Bk

 

[dualazmak]

Just for your possible interest and reference...

In case if your high-speed optical internet access provider has streaming service of "optical digital HD/4K/8K TV channels" and if you can use LAN TV tuner/software to be set in your home LAN and PC (or Mac), or you would be fully satisfied with internet TV channels, I would like to recommend you trying/evaluating using your nice TV (4K and/or 8K, I believe) as your second (or third?) PC monitor for visual only of 4K/8K resolution through HDMI connection to your PC (or Mac); I mean all the audio signal from any of the TV channel can be processed (any DSP, if needed) by your same PC (or Mac) into DAC to your audio setup.

This setup is a kind of "reverse thinking approach" of full utilization of nice HD/4K/8K TV (in my case 4K OLED 55-inch TV Panasonic TH-55HZ1800) within our mainly HiFi-audio oriented home audio-visual system, as I described in my post here. In this case, of course your PC's (or Mac's) GPU (CPU incorporated, or PCIe graphic card) should be capable of 4K/8K video HDMI output in 60 Hz or higher refresh rate.

You can find the detailed system diagrams and descriptions of my latest such audio-visual setup here #931 and #1,009 on my project thread.

Spoiler

Ref. here #931 on my project thread.

 

[hansy]

To all that replied, thank you.

After reading your replies however, I'm thinking maybe i should just get a simple basic receiver.

I can't be the only joe schmoe trying to hook up 2 speakers to my tv and have the tv control the volume, am i?

 

[Krusty09]

Just get a wiim as it has a ARC HDMI and your done. I belive even if you use another hdmi input the audio still comes back on the return ch. And btw you will have one of the best audio streamer s as well.

 

[hansy]

Just get a wiim as it has a ARC HDMI and your done. I belive even if you use another hdmi input the audio still comes back on the return ch. And btw you will have one of the best audio streamer s as well.

Thanks for the suggestion, but i was hoping to find a solution that would allow me to use my apple tv remote (or even tv remote) for volume control. would the wiim allow me to do that? If so, how do i use the ARC HDMI? My tv has a 3.5mm digital audio output

Also, will this work for me? Fosi Audio ZP3 Preamplifier

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Thanks for the suggestion, but i was hoping to find a solution that would allow me to use my apple tv remote (or even tv remote) for volume control. would the wiim allow me to do that? If so, how do i use the ARC HDMI? My tv has a 3.5mm digital audio output

In terms of using your remote for volume, yes, so long as you have a receiver/pre-pro type of unit with eARC capabilities, your Sony remote will handle all power and volume needs. I use that set up myself in my home theater room (with passive speakers, not actives). The Sony remote power button turns on my TV and Denon 6800H AVR at the same time and handles volume for the audio through the receiver. You get this set up just by using a current standard HDMI cable to connect the eARC HDMI ports of the Sony Bravia and the receiver (plus configuring a few settings, which you can find via Google).

Unfortunately, I don't know that Wiim units support the eARC standard. They used to only support the simpler version of ARC (maybe that has changed?). You'll get the best level of convenience if you use a receiver or pre-pro that has eARC. As much as I like Wiim, it is not worth the hassle of using ARC. Go for eARC only, which offers a higher level of convenience.

While you may not want to purchase anything new, that is likely your simplest route here. If you're fully committed to two channel, you could look for an inexpensive stereo receiver with eARC capabilities from any reputable brand (Yamaha or Denon my choice), which will cost $200-300. You'll want something with pre-outs that match the inputs on your Genelecs, of course. If you have any thought you might go for multi-channel later down the line, then look at a Denon multichannel AVR. Either option (stereo or MCH) can give you the flexibility to add a subwoofer. Just make sure the unit you get has pre-outs, since you won't be using its power for your active speakers.

IMHO that's a worthwhile upgrade for your convenience, and you'll get other great benefits too (subwoofer integration, streaming music capabilities, flexibility for upgrades).

 

[Open Mind Audio]

PS - I was too optimistic about prices. Looks like the most affordable receivers with eARC and subwoofer out run more like $400, something like the Denon AVR - S570BT. Still worth it I think for the flexibility, streaming, and subwoofer.

In terms of using your remote for volume, yes, so long as you have a receiver/pre-pro type of unit with eARC capabilities, your Sony remote will handle all power and volume needs. I use that set up myself in my home theater room (with passive speakers, not actives). The Sony remote power button turns on my TV and Denon 6800H AVR at the same time and handles volume for the audio through the receiver. You get this set up just by using a current standard HDMI cable to connect the eARC HDMI ports of the Sony Bravia and the receiver (plus configuring a few settings, which you can find via Google).

Unfortunately, I don't know that Wiim units support the eARC standard. They used to only support the simpler version of ARC (maybe that has changed?). You'll get the best level of convenience if you use a receiver or pre-pro that has eARC. As much as I like Wiim, it is not worth the hassle of using ARC. Go for eARC only, which offers a higher level of convenience.

While you may not want to purchase anything new, that is likely your simplest route here. If you're fully committed to two channel, you could look for an inexpensive stereo receiver with eARC capabilities from any reputable brand (Yamaha or Denon my choice), which will cost $200-300. You'll want something with pre-outs that match the inputs on your Genelecs, of course. If you have any thought you might go for multi-channel later down the line, then look at a Denon multichannel AVR. Either option (stereo or MCH) can give you the flexibility to add a subwoofer. Just make sure the unit you get has pre-outs, since you won't be using its power for your active speakers.

IMHO that's a worthwhile upgrade for your convenience, and you'll get other great benefits too (subwoofer integration, streaming music capabilities, flexibility for upgrades).

 

[hansy]

In terms of using your remote for volume, yes, so long as you have a receiver/pre-pro type of unit with eARC capabilities, your Sony remote will handle all power and volume needs. I use that set up myself in my home theater room (with passive speakers, not actives). The Sony remote power button turns on my TV and Denon 6800H AVR at the same time and handles volume for the audio through the receiver. You get this set up just by using a current standard HDMI cable to connect the eARC HDMI ports of the Sony Bravia and the receiver (plus configuring a few settings, which you can find via Google).

Unfortunately, I don't know that Wiim units support the eARC standard. They used to only support the simpler version of ARC (maybe that has changed?). You'll get the best level of convenience if you use a receiver or pre-pro that has eARC. As much as I like Wiim, it is not worth the hassle of using ARC. Go for eARC only, which offers a higher level of convenience.

While you may not want to purchase anything new, that is likely your simplest route here. If you're fully committed to two channel, you could look for an inexpensive stereo receiver with eARC capabilities from any reputable brand (Yamaha or Denon my choice), which will cost $200-300. You'll want something with pre-outs that match the inputs on your Genelecs, of course. If you have any thought you might go for multi-channel later down the line, then look at a Denon multichannel AVR. Either option (stereo or MCH) can give you the flexibility to add a subwoofer. Just make sure the unit you get has pre-outs, since you won't be using its power for your active speakers.

IMHO that's a worthwhile upgrade for your convenience, and you'll get other great benefits too (subwoofer integration, streaming music capabilities, flexibility for upgrades).

Thanks so much for that information.

I want to take your suggestion and just get a receiver instead of a dac. i've been down the dac/tv route before and the remote to the dac didn't work half the time, etc.

Do you have a recommendation that fits the bill? Price is not as much a concern as quality. I just don't want to deal with having my attached devices (apple tv, nintendo switch) going throught the a/v receiver and all that stuff. just my 2 speakers and a sub.

 

[Krusty09]

Earc and arc are compatible but earc is the extended more up to date ver. Just google earc vs arc. Wiim I believe does not do earc but does alot as you can search this website and see the results .

 

[hansy]

PS - I was too optimistic about prices. Looks like the most affordable receivers with eARC and subwoofer out run more like $400, something like the Denon AVR - S570BT. Still worth it I think for the flexibility, streaming, and subwoofer.

I have another question: my genelec speakers are powered. will they work with a receiver or do i need a pre-amp instead?

 

[Open Mind Audio]

I have another question: my genelec speakers are powered. will they work with a receiver or do i need a pre-amp instead?

Yes, your genelecs will work perfectly with any receiver that has pre-outs, such as the Denon AVR-S570BT ($429 at Crutchfield) or the Denon AVR-X1800H ($719 at Crutchfield, and they come up cheaper now and then at accessories4less). Effectively, you use the multi-channel AVR as a pre-amp. The AVR will control the volume on your Genelecs just like any pre-amp. Because there is not much of a low- or mid-priced market for pre-amps any more, the best option will be an AVR. Among AVRs, Denon's are as good as they get. My recc would be to get the 1800H, since it gives you more flexibility - but the 570BT would be fine. If you go with another brand, just be sure it has eARC. Not all of them do.

I know you said you don't want to deal with having attached devices going through the receiver, but it's worth giving that a try once/if you get an AVR. It will make life much simpler, with the volume for each device controlled by the one unit (AVR) and conceivably one remote.

Best of luck!!! I sense a subwoofer in your future.

 

[hansy]

Thanks so much! I don't see eARC listed as a feature of the Denon 570BT. Do you know if it has it? I really don't want to have to use a separate remote to control the volume.

A bit of a rant here, but I'm surprised that TV's don't come with an analog audio out anymore, lol. Am I that behind the times with wanting to simply plug in my genelec powered speakers into my new television?

 

[Open Mind Audio]

According to the photo of the back panel of the Denon 570BT on the Crutchfield site, it has eARC. They show an HDMI with eARCh labeled: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVS570B/Denon-AVR-S570BT.html?tp=179#&gid=1&pid=2

And I second your rant - a simple RCA out would have been pretty easy to add to a state of the art TV, one would have hoped.

 

[hansy]

According to the photo of the back panel of the Denon 570BT on the Crutchfield site, it has eARC. They show an HDMI with eARCh labeled: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVS570B/Denon-AVR-S570BT.html?tp=179#&gid=1&pid=2

And I second your rant - a simple RCA out would have been pretty easy to add to a state of the art TV, one would have hoped.

Ah yes, I see it now. Good eyes, or bad eyes to me, lol.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[hansy]

According to the photo of the back panel of the Denon 570BT on the Crutchfield site, it has eARC. They show an HDMI with eARCh labeled: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVS570B/Denon-AVR-S570BT.html?tp=179#&gid=1&pid=2

And I second your rant - a simple RCA out would have been pretty easy to add to a state of the art TV, one would have hoped.

One last question: will this receiver work with my powered genelecs? I see only pre-out for the subwoofer?

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Well now you have the good eye not me. You're right - the 570 only has SW pre-outs (I missed that). Looks you have to move up a notch to the 1800H to get stereo pre-outs, and then the 3800H is the first level with full multi-channel pre-outs. Stereo pre-outs is all you need*. Plus, if you make a move to MCH later, you can power those channels with the AVR's wattage, or do a mix of AVR and other power (as many of us do).

*All you need in your situation, looking to power the Genelecs.

 

[SMc]

Hello,
I just bought a sony bravia tv and learned that there is no analog/headphone out jack to hook up my genelec speakers.
Normally I use the analog out headphone jack. I guess tv's don't even come with those jacks anymore. The tv has a digital audio out 3.5mm and it may even be optical.

Anyway, so what I need is a product/device that will take the digital audio out from the tv and push it to my speakers. I have 2 speakers. And maybe I'd like to add a subwoofer.

I see these large entertainment systems/receivers like 7.2 channels stuff and it seems like far more than i need. i only have 2 speakers and a subwoofer. do i really need an av receiver?

So any recommendations are appreciated. I just want to take the digital output from the tv and push it to my speakers and subwoofer so i need a dac and some amplificaiton, but i don'tneed fancy dts atmos and all these other things i have no idea about, do i?

oh, and i need a remote to adjust volume.

Thanks for any suggestions!!!

Check the manual to see if the digital optical output can be set to variable instead of fixed. If so, a DAC will be fine with the tv remote.

 

[hansy]

Well now you have the good eye not me. You're right - the 570 only has SW pre-outs (I missed that). Looks you have to move up a notch to the 1800H to get stereo pre-outs, and then the 3800H is the first level with full multi-channel pre-outs. Stereo pre-outs is all you need*. Plus, if you make a move to MCH later, you can power those channels with the AVR's wattage, or do a mix of AVR and other power (as many of us do).

*All you need in your situation, looking to power the Genelecs.

Thank you for your time and help.