Endpoint combining TV audio out and a HiFiBerry?

Audio Gear Talk
#1

In my living room I have some great speakers and my TV.
I take the audio out of the TV on minijack to two male XLRs and in to my powered speakers. All good.

I want to use these same speakers as a Roon endpoint, to combine with my Roon setup (Bluesound elsewhere in the house).
So I was hoping for some kind of endpoint that will allow an analog in (TV) and combine this with the RAAT endpoint. In other words so I can seamlessly switch between the TV audio and the Roon stream…if that makes sense.
Any Hat/Pi things that can pass through an analog input to the main out?

#2

Depending on your budget, and potentially the age of your TV, you could look at a Bluesound Node that has has analog out, analog in, optical in, eARC/ARC in, and would integrate into your other Bluesound systems.

#3

Great option, but yes was hoping for something a little less expensive. But maybe this is the only thing that will do this task.
I guess the Analog In will needed to be selected on the Node in order for it to pass through?

EDIT Actually I’ve just realised that all I need is a mixer…two stereo ins to one stereo out. That way I can keep the analog TV analog with no worry about delay (looking at you Bluesound)

#4

I’m wondering if the HiFi Berry DAC+ ADC PRO which has an analog input might do it…anyone have experience with this board?

#5

I believe so, but you also have the option of optical from your TV straight to the Node, which should offer improved sound qualiity compared to analog out from the TV (TV analog audio outputs are not always the highest priority in set designs).

#6

Robert I’ve had bad experiences with Bluesound analog in’s on the Flex and their Soundbar when trying to use them with a TV. They both produced completely unuseable delay to the picture. I had a long exchange with Bluesound Support on this and their conclusion was I needed a TV with picture delay capabilities to match the image to the audio! Crazy. Some higher end TV’s do have this but the fact that Bluesound’s analog input delays the audio really seriously is such bad design.

I just remembered all this after you suggested the Node and I presume the “analog ins” on the Node will have the same issues. The Soundbar HDMI input suffers from the same problem.

#7

I used to take optical out( toslink) from a Samsung TV into a Bluesound Vault2i, which has the same DAC inside as the node I believe.
I never experienced any out of sync audio using this method.
I honestly don’t remember if I ever tried it’s analog input, probably not I think.

2 Likes
#8

Assuming your TV has an optical (S/PDIF) output…

Option 1 – BluSound Node

Personally, I’d go for the Node as it’s likely to be you the least faff, boxes and cables. Not sure if the Node handles auto switching / input sensing. But as with possible audio delays, could you not try the following out with your existing Node first to see if it works?

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Option 2 - HiFiBerry DAC+ DSP

This HAT has a digital input (for a TV), as with the Node the issue might be with auto switching / input sensing and audio delays with would require you to go to the HiFiBerry web interface or a physical remote from time to time. The one downside is there is no easy way to try it first unless someone else on here has the same setup. You could always drop HIFiBerry an email first and see what they say, that way you can return it if it doesn’t work as expected.

Option 3 - RPi +External DAC

Rather than a HAT you could use a low-cost external USB DAC (something like a Topping T30) that has both an optical input for your TV set and a USB input for a bog-standard RPi without a HAT running Ropieee. Again oyu might want to research how well the auto switching / sensing works, but most external DAC come with a remote control.

https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/869064.html

Option 4 – XLR Switch

One of these passive XLR switches from the likes of Nobsound or ONE Little Bear would be a simple option. But it’s an additional box with lots of extra cables, still requires an RPi + HAT (for RAAT), doesn’t allow you to utilise the S/PDIF (optical) output from your TV for better sound and finally requires you to manually get up to switch audio sources.

It wouldn’t be my first choice, but if your TV only has analog outputs and you have no way of adjusting the audio-sync maybe it’s your only option — as any digital device with analogue inputs will likely introduce a slight audio delay.

Option 4 – A cheap AVR with L&R pre-outs or Pre-Amp

Possibly total overkill, but another option might be to just pick up a low cost, second-hand AVR with AirPlay (Marantz, Onyko, Pioneer, Denon) — I doubt you’ll find a used AVR or Pre-amp with Roon RAAT capabilities within budget. Then connect your TV up to it via HDMI ARC (assuming your TV had HDMI) and your active speakers via the L&R pre-outs. You won’t be using it’s amps or surround channels, but if you find one cheap enough maybe that doesn’t matter.

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#9

Not exactly pertinent, but I use an Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint. From there I use HDMI to LG OLED TV then HDMI to Bose. Works great for me.

Use digital signal until you reach the DAC you want to use, then, analog from there.

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#10

This is really useful, thank you so much. The E30ii box is a very nice solution indeed and has auto sensing on the inputs so should be just the ticket. But I need to check my TV has digital out …
Ill look over your other proposals in detail in the meantime. thanks again.
The Node: I dont have a Node2 but I am pretty sure it will not auto sense inputs and switch over. I know to get a Bluesound Flex to swich to the analog inputs is a real faff so maybe the Node is better but I think it’s going to involve more button pushing than the E30ii

Edit: yes TV has digital out.

#11

Seems like you have some additoinal options. Just a quick question. The E30ii is not a network device nor a Roon streamer, so how will you send a Roon stream to your powered speakers through the E30ii? Does your TV have Chromecast or AirPlay built into it?

#12

Yes I would need a RP and Roipee I believe