Looking for help from any multichannel masters out there. I’ve been troubleshooting this for a month or so, and have seen no joy.
I ripped a few of my MCH SACDs as DSF files, but I can’t make MCH work on my AVR.
Here is my equipment:
Intel NUC11PAHi5 running latest version of BIOS and ROCK
Onkyo TX-NR686 connected to ROCK via HDMI (HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0)
The device setup is as follows:
DSD playback strategy: Convert to PCM
Max sample rate (PCM): Up to 192kHz
Max bits per sample: 24
Channel layout: 5.1
Multichannel mixing: Channel mapping only
What works:
Listening to stereo or MCH files on the Onkyo via HDMI when Channel layout = 2.0
(signal path indicates channel mapping as 5.1 → 2.0)
Listening to either set of files on other devices that don’t support 5.1 channel layouts, such as my iPhone, or HDMI from ROCK to a video monitor
(same mapping as above)
What doesn’t work:
Listening to stereo or MCH files on Onkyo via HDMI when Channel layout = 5.1
I’ve read every thread on MCH I could find on the forums, and it seems I should be able to listen to 5.1 on my AVR using an HDMI connection directly from my ROCK.
I always follow these steps when trying new configurations:
Stop media playback in Roon app
Change configuration (such as channel layout)
Force close Roon app
Reboot ROCK
Power cycle Onkyo
In the Roon app, 5.1 channel mapping looks like it’s working (attached), but no sound comes out of my AVR, and info from my Onkyo app does not indicate that it is receiving input. I’ve tried three different HDMI inputs on the Onkyo, using three different HDMI cables. Each works fine with MCH using other devices, such as Apple TV or my Blu-ray player.
Ken, try setting Roon to 7.1 and swap rear and surround channels.
I have several Marantz and Denon prepro and receiver products at home. I was using an old i-5 PC HDMI connected to the Denon, where I did need to set Windows sound properties to 7.1 as well. This said, the last time I went to play through this system (a year ago, unfortunately), MCH did not work. Another Roon user reported the same thing. We both put in support requests and Roon never addressed either.
Have you tried changing Multichannel Mixing to “Downmix as needed”? Also, admittedly a complete shot in the dark, you might try turning HDMI CEC off for that input on the Onkyo. I think I remember reading CEC can cause odd issues sometimes?
I don’t know if it helps, but here’s my Device Settings in Roon;
What happens if you disconnect the TV HDMI from the Onkyo? I remember reading somewhere about some HDMI connected TVs causing weird issues with other HDMI inputs.
Hi. Lots of good suggestions below. However, I have been trying to get reliable MCH output from. several ROCK servers directly through HDMI. HDMI-switching is still an issue on many AVRs, and quite a few times my ROCK/AVR got confuses and sent the front signals through the side speakers etc. I think as long as the ROCK hasn´t got any software/tweaks to process sound (except for the BIOS and ROCK software), my opinion is that the problem lies within ROCK. I therefore ditched this setup, went back to using an old Mac from 2012 as and endpoint and let ROCK handle the library and server side. Works flawless.
I use the HDMI setup for NUC8I7BEH/ROCK to a Denon 8500x using the HDMI0 option as you described. Max sample rate is set to "Up to 192kHz " to match the Denon, the Channel Layout is 7.1 , Multichannel mixing is Downmix as needed.
The setup plays the files as recorded, 2 channel or multi-channel music without any issues or changes to the configuration. With Channel Layout set to 7.1 Roon adds an option to switch the surround and rear speakers and I can switch the rear output to the side speakers as needed.
One thing you listed is confusing to me. Roon doesn’t play DSD over HDMI, automatically converts DSD to PCM during playback, and with that my setup does not have an option for DSD playback strategy. I’m curious why your setup is deffernt form mine.
Wish I had some words of wisdom to help but can only say that is how it works for me.
Thank you all for sharing you suggestions and experiences.
I have twiddled with many settings, and also tried MCH FLAC files from DVD-Audio rips as well as the DSF files from SACDs. Was really hoping that at least @Jeffrey_Robbins reference would work.
Absolutely nothing MCH works, no matter if setting at 5.1 or 7.1, or setting Channel mapping only vs Downmix as needed.
I did discover one thing new, however.
The 5.1/7.1 channel device setting works fine on stereo files, but once I try and play a MCH file, ROCK stops sending audio to the AVR. Roon still indicates that it is playing a file, but nothing is heard and the input info on the AVR changes from HDMI to Analog (the default “nothing is playing” indication). DSF (DSD), FLAC, WAV and Live Radio (MP3) all play fine in their respective 44.1kHz, 96kHz, or 176.4kHZ sample rates - as long as they are stereo.
When a MCH file is played, the ROCK will not send audio to the AVR until ROCK is rebooted.
My next step is to set up either a Mac or Windows device as a Roon bridge to see what happens.
This is so frustrating as some seem to have this working directly on seemingly similar hardware (though most are Marantz or Denon AVRs). It makes it hard to trace to ROCK or my specific hardware configuration. Maybe the answer lies in the comment from @Saturn94 “It seems like the Onkyo’s HDMI handshake is reporting to the NUC that it only accepts 2.0.”
Again, many thanks for the all your feedback, tips, and suggestions. What a great community!
IIRC (and I might not) but from the many previous threads about this I seem to recall that different Denon/Marantz/etc models have different implementations and some support DSD via HDMI when others don’t.
I was wondering something similar. I noticed in my setup the Audio Device, an Oppo 103 BD player, appears as unidentified in device settings. Perhaps that’s the difference between mine and @Mike_LC?
Btw, the Oppo 103 does not accept DSD (nor DoP) via HDMI, but perhaps since Roon can’t identify the Oppo 103, it offers the options anyway?
Since you mentioned NUC, did you check the dedicated “HDM Audio” setting in the NUC’s BIOS?
Don’t know if this makes a difference, but it should be enabled.
I did see that. It was already checked and I didn’t change it. I am able to get audio from the NUC to my AVR through HDMI, so long as it’s no more than two channels.
You definitely fully turn on your AVR first, before booting ROCK?
Tried different HDMI cable? How long is it?
You installed ROCK using UEFI or legacy on the NUC?
You installed the latest codecs file?
Please also try to increase the Resync delay to e.g. 7000ms.
Tried three HDMI cables from three different manufacturers (that work on other devices), All under three ft long.
Installed ROCK using UEFI
Latest CODECs? Where would I fiddle with that?
Tried setting resync delay to 7000. Heard the delay in playing the initial selection, but still doesn’t transmit MCH to the AVR. As always, it plays in Roon, and looks like I should hear something.
