Feature request for UHD8000: make both HDMI outputs high quality audio

I wish that either through a firmware upgrade or when considering new models, both HDMI outputs would output multichannel dsf. The problem with the audio-only HDMI is that you can no longer see your monitor when using a home theater receiver. The screen goes blank when you select HDMI audio and you have to using screen-casting to see the monitor. Is it possible to include the same high quality audio chips so that you can both see and hear the audio when selecting HDMI. Would make life much easier since no home theater receiver lets you choose HDMI audio independent of the video input you choose.

 

One other thought. Can't ordinary HDMI also output multichannel dsf files? If so, why not allow that setting on the current UHD8000 video HDMI output, though it might produce some lessening of audio quality?

 

Not in my case - I always use my TV whichever HDMI Output I use - HDMI Main or HDMI Audio

On the other hand I cannot get Casting to work but it maybe me and how I'm using this functionality

 

I am afraid that isn't possible. At least with current models.

 

Can't any ordinary HDMI output pass multichannel dsf file?

 

It seems it needs special DSD provisions which the standard SOC's don't include. After all SACD isn't that common today and frankly it never was.

 

True, but note that Qobuz is now offering dsd titles (2 channel)

 

I own a Tidal "Family" account and the best I've got out are ATMOS titles. I had no idea Qobuz was offering DSD (albeit 2-channel) so I shall check this out - cheers.

This seems the perfect opportunity to give a big thanks to someone. I hope he doesn't mind me singling him out but @Nice Monkey got me into the world of DSD/DSF/SACD etal with a DAC he sold me to fit alongside my former Egreat A11, quite a few years back. A new world indeed and one which I've improved upon constantly with better DACs and a Z1000 Pro. You only live once eh.? So splashed out on a UHD8000 recently which has 2 marvellous DACs built in to it. And Woha! I can now get MCH SACDs which sound, well the best HiFi sound (4.0, 5.0, 5.1) I've ever heard on my set up. And if that isn't good enough, it fulfills Gapless playback superbly too.

A throwback to the "old days": - I remember DSOTM coming out early 1973 and within a week, I was listening to it on my basic setup then via headphones and freaked out because it was so bloody good! It's become a masterpiece since then but remember being blown away with the Stereo sound through my Headphones - Mum and Dad wouldn't allow me to play it through my speakers when they were in! And the reason I mention this? Well I settled down to listening to it, with a beer the other day, this time via a MCH SACD (5.1) for the first time - wow! just Wow!

So a big thank you to Nice, I shall be forever grateful

 

@rozel
I remember arguing with you about the value add of MCH you did not believe in at all then. Always good to expand your horizon and listen to others. Learned that a very long time ago.

 

Do you have any albums to recommend in multichannel sacd? I already have some but maybe you know some albums that I don't have.

 

Don't forget to try DTS-CD and DVD-Audio also. Many very nice seventies Quad LP recordings were transferred to above all DTS-CD and sound amazing. What about Elvis Presley or The Beatles in MCH.
There are several lists of top MCH Audio recordings.

 

I had a fantastic copy of the original Dark Side of the Moon Alan Parsons quad mix but I lost it somewhere... gutted..

 

Can you send me a link to this list? I've never tried a DTS-CD, I'm really curious

 

Just PM me where to send. Can help you with that one. Even have 2 different transfers. Yes another amazing recording from that era.

@enry184
I would have to do searches just like you. I am sure you will find some.

 

I already have several multichannel SACD. I would like to enrich my library with something new that I do not have. I sent you a private message

 

Yes we did lol! - I hadn't really listened to Multi Channel stuff back then as I was concentrating on my Stereo collection, but yes you showed me the way

 

Where do we find these lists please? I remember my father-in-law bringing home Quad LP's but forget now, how he played them

 

I'll have a good look later and PM you

 

In the seventies full Quad audio sets were introduced. Record players, AMP,s, Recorders all in 4 channels. It did not last long but audio quality of studio recordings were amazing for the period and master tapes of excellent quality. Thanks to the last we can now enjoy them in far better quality than than the home HifìFi equipment then allowed.

The lists are about MCH recordings in any format not so much Quad. The point is there were made quite a lot during the seventies.

 

These are a small sample of the 250+ multi-channel SACDs that I have but which I enjoy quite a lot:
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon and Animals
Dire Strait Brothers in Arms
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Peter Gabriel - Up
Kraftwerk Minimum-Maximum
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Sly & The Family Stones - Greatest Hits
Santana - Santana and Abraxas
The Doors - Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman
Marvin Gaye - The Marvin Gaye Collection
Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive
The Police - Every Breath You Take - The Classics
The Who - Tommy
Brad Fiedel - Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination
The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Rage Hard: The Sonic Collection
Yes - Fragile
George Gerswhin - Rhapsody in Blue (1960)
Antonio Vivaldi - TACET's The Four Seasons

Yeah, I'm old and I have eclectic tastes. I also have nearly 600 multi-channel high-resolution albums as PCM files in the FLAC format. Some I've bought and some I've ripped from DVDs/Blu-rays/UHDs I've bought.

Multi-channel is SO much more immersive than two-channel. Admittedly, you do get some real clunkers sometimes (like Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Schmilsson) but you also get real gem's like the multi-channel Beatles remixes (Sgt. Peppers will just gobsmack you).

In fact, multi-channel music is important enough to me that I've bought multiple media players trying to find the one that does it all for me. My ancient Popcorn Hour A-500 plays all my FLAC and DSD files, stereo and multi-channel, and plays them "gaplessly" (VERY important for live albums and certain "concept" albums) but has the worst interface ever for finding the album you want. My Zappiti Neo does a great job on individual FLAC and DSD files and on SACD-ISO files, but does NOT play FLAC or DSD files "gaplessly". My old Oppo BDP-90 played stereo and multi-channel FLAC and DSD files but only played FLAC files "gaplessly". I tried a Dune HD Pro Vision 4K Solo and (if I recall) it choked on multi-channel files. I tried a Zidoo Z9X Pro and it choked on multi-channel DSD and SACD-ISO files (despite claiming it could handle them). I ordered a Z9X 8K in the hopes that they have addressed this and am really hopeful that they have a decent UI for selecting albums and individual songs. In fact, I just got notice that it has been delivered to my mailbox. I need to go give that bad boy a try!