· HDMI Multi-Channel over Intel NUC is not working anymore. I have an Intel NUC with roon ROCK installed, that I use AS AN ENDPOINT, not as a roon Server. My roon Server is on my Windows 11 machine. I have this Intel NUC with roon ROCK configured as an HDMI roon endpoint. The HDMI cable is connected to my Marantz 6014 receiver. I used to have no problems for years listening to multi-channel DSD and FLAC this way. But as I tried again after a few months, the Intel NUC is only outputting Stereo over HDMI. I have the multi-channel settings correct in the Audio-Settings. Have not changed them in a few years.
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· Router is a new Unifi Router, Switch is an HP Procurve 48 port switch. all is connected via LAN-Cable. Networking is no problem here, all works fine.
Has your Marantz had a firmware update since you last noticed multichannel over HDMI working properly? The reason I ask is I’ve noticed other reports around here of multichannel no longer/not working over HDMI on Marantz products (only 2 channel works). My suspicion is that a firmware update from Marantz is causing it to report to the Roon server that it only accepts 2 channel over HDMI. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ve read any reports of successful work arounds or fixes.
Hopefully, Roon support can help you pin down the issue.
Can you play a sample multichannel to the Marantz and then report the timestamp of when you did this here in this thread? That way, Tech Support can examine the logs around the timestamp to see if the communication between the Roon Server and the Marantz endpoint reveal what’s going on…
I have a similar setup, which still works fine with multichannel;
Salkstream III (OS is Archlinux, running Roonserver) > Oppo 103 HDMI input > Oppo 103 multichannel analog outputs > Anthem AVM20 pre/pro multichannel analog inputs.
The fact that your setup using the Marantz’s multichannel analog inputs isn’t working seems to rule out the Marantz being the issue.
I wonder if ROCK is the issue? I have seen at least a few threads where ROCK was being used and had HDMI multichannel issues. How difficult would it be to use a different OS on your NUC endpoint (running Roonbridge)?
Hopefully, Roon can find something in your logs that explains your issue (and gets fixed!).
I saw another thread where lowering the Max Sample Rate worked to fixed multichannel playback (even though their device was advertised as capable of higher rates).
It’s a shot in the dark, but may be worth trying until you hear from Roon support.
Thats a good idea, did not know that they can do that.
So, just right now 21:08 Middle European Time / 19:08 UTC I played Peter Gabriel UP DSD 5.1 in roon.
Intel NUC → HDMI Out → Marantz HDMI In
Only the front Stereo Speakers play sound. Its obviously only the front stereo of the 5.1 mix, as I hear that sound is missing, so its not downmixed.
In addition I played the 5.1 albums directly on my Oppo 205. There the 5.1 sound was OK! Over HDMI to the Marantz and also over the 7.1 analogue output.
So when played over the Oppo my Marantz gets perfect 5.1 sound.
When playing over roon over the Intel NUC both the Marantz and the Oppo only get the front 2 channels, not downmixed.
well if the solution is to use another OS on the NUC, I have no problem doing it. Maybe DietPi with roon Bridge? I think, that I remember something that most Linux distributions have issues with multichannel over HDMI… maybe ArchLinux? Thats what you are using, hmmm.
I know there are others here using DietPi. I believe @Michael_Harris has successfully used DietPi with multichannel (@Michael_Harris, would you comment on this?).
My Salkstream came with ArchLinux (bought it in 2016; I’ve kept the OS up to date), so it’s the only OS I’ve used with Roon (btw, I should mention my computer/Linux skills are very limited).
Yes as @Saturn94 said I use DietPi for playback of my library for 5.1 and above playback.
I play to a Sonos ARC, sub and surrounds and the key for playback to Sonos is to set the maximum settings to 24/48 and this is not a bad idea for testing other multi channel endpoints as a starter. I used to do this on Rock as well. The many benefits of DietPi include being able to display artwork on the TV as well. I have posted a write up in another thread here somewhere.
It’s a 10th generation NUC i5 in an Akasa fanless case.
The machine ran Rock for a couple of years and then DietPi for a about 18 months. But now I moved to a Mac Pro for my Roon server and now I run Roon Bridge on the Pi alongside Other music server’s as well
Thank you for reaching Roon support. Would you kindly confirm that the behaviour is the same without the convolution applied? In case of yes, please provide a new timestamp of the playback.
Thank you for the timestamps — we were able to review the signal path, and we can see exactly what is happening.
Your convolution filter is configured with 2 paths, which means it is a stereo filter. When applied to a 6-channel DSD source, it cannot process the additional channels correctly, which is why only the front two speakers produce sound.
The fix is straightforward: you will need a convolution filter with 6 paths to match your 5.1 content. If you only have a stereo filter available, you can disable convolution for your multichannel zone and keep it active only for stereo playback.
Just checking in on this. Were you able to try a convolution filter with 6 paths for your 5.1 DSD playback, or disable convolution in the multichannel zone and keep it active for stereo only? Let us know what you found, thanks!
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