Audi Issues Via Fx Card HDMI

daskuppler

Estimable
Dec 7, 2014
1
0
4,510
Hello All,

My setup consists of a Windows 10/AMD based computer. My graphics card is a GeForce 970Ti. My motherboard has optical but does not support 5.1. I currently have an HDMI cable running from my graphics card to my av receiver, a Sony STR-DH820. From there, video runs to ba 240hz Vizio M class TV via HDMI.

I use my computer for music, TV and movies. For movies and TV it's awesome, there are no problems. If I want to listen to music, everything goes haywire. In order to get audio output I have to turn on the TV, once music is playing I can turn the TV off and the audio remains. However, the audio will flicker 2-3 times. I noticed that when the audio flickers, the output mode goes from 5.1 to channel and then back to 5.1 despite being a 2 channel source ( this isn't a huge deal as it still plays in 2.1). My biggest issue is the audio flickering and the necessity to turn on the TV to get audio. Periodically, it completely locks up and I have to restart the computer to get audio via HDMI at all.

Nvidia tech support hasnt been much help and Sony tech support said my receiver was broken and needed service after they had me do a factory reset.

None of the issues are present when using optical other than my motherboard won't passthrough a discrete 5.1 signal.

I have fairly nice speakers and would prefer to use the uncompressed signal via HDMI but I have considered purchasing a cheap sound card with an optical out. My understanding is that since my receiver is acting as the dac, the sound card would strictly be passing the audio through and quality of the card would not matter. Am I correct in this?

Cheers,
Andy
 
Solution
If you use an optical or coaxial digital audio out from a sound card to your receiver that card has little to no effect on the audio quality. SPDIF digital audio supports uncompressed audio so for music there won't be any loss of quality.
HDMI is needed for multi-channel uncompressed audio like Dolby True but not for music.
If your budget allows you could consider a USB DAC which may sound better than the one built into the receiver.
www.schiit.com
If you use an optical or coaxial digital audio out from a sound card to your receiver that card has little to no effect on the audio quality. SPDIF digital audio supports uncompressed audio so for music there won't be any loss of quality.
HDMI is needed for multi-channel uncompressed audio like Dolby True but not for music.
If your budget allows you could consider a USB DAC which may sound better than the one built into the receiver.
www.schiit.com
 
Solution