Getting sound from Smart Tv to analogue amplifier? Any advice

delmonta

Hi

I have a new smart TV which has not analogue audio outputs, and I have my Arcam amp with only RCA inputs.

I want to avoid bluetooth, so I was looking at either little DAC optical to RCA boxes like this

or HDMI extractors like this

Is there an advantage to one or the other? Or is there a better option

Also, will changing the volume on the TV still change the volume if I use these methods? Or will I only be able to change volume from the amplifier?

Any advice would be great
thanks

Norman_Castle

Is there a headphone socket on the tv?

delmonta

Norman_Castle said:

Is there a headphone socket on the tv?

No, that would make things easier. There are no analogue outputs

alanwsg

I have one of those DAC convertors connected to my LG LED TV, works just fine.
I suggest you get the almost identical model that has a level control on it.
I connect it to my HiFi via phono plugs, I tried via the 3.5mm jack but the sound quality seem inferior.
You can only change the volume on the amplifier, adjusting the TV volume does nothing (I keep it turned down to zero).

delmonta

alanwsg said:

I have one of those DAC convertors connected to my LG LED TV, works just fine.
I suggest you get the almost identical model that has a level control on it.
I connect it to my HiFi via phono plugs, I tried via the 3.5mm jack but the sound quality seem inferior.
You can only change the volume on the amplifier, adjusting the TV volume does nothing (I keep it turned down to zero).

Ok thanks, so my only worry is not being able to control volume from where I'm sitting. Isn't this a big problem? I change the volume a lot! And I don't want to have to get up each time to do it

Is there any way around this
Thanks

TadleyBaggie

Does the HiFi amp support any type of remote control? In my A/V setup my HiFi amp is remote controllable and I use a Logitech hub to control all my devices via an app on my iPad.

alanwsg

delmonta said:

Ok thanks, so my only worry is not being able to control volume from where I'm sitting. Isn't this a big problem? I change the volume a lot! And I don't want to have to get up each time to do it

Is there any way around this
Thanks

No, I don't think so.
My Hifi has remote control, so I don't have that problem.
The optical output from the TV to the DAC is a constant level.

Biggus_Dickus

delmonta said:

Hi

I have a new smart TV which has not analogue audio outputs, and I have my Arcam amp with only RCA inputs.

I want to avoid bluetooth, so I was looking at either little DAC optical to RCA boxes like this

or HDMI extractors like this

Is there an advantage to one or the other? Or is there a better option

Also, will changing the volume on the TV still change the volume if I use these methods? Or will I only be able to change volume from the amplifier?

Any advice would be great
thanks

I fitted a DAC converter to my son’s 55” Hitachi Smart TV in 2017.It feeds sound from the TV’s optical sound output via the TosLink cable to the converter,...from the converter box it then feeds via RCA cables to the inputs of his Sony amp,  and thence to his Wharfedale hi-fi speakers. It really does improve the TV sound experience no end.

The DAC converter itself is tiny and can easily be concealed behind the TV if required. It takes its power from the one of the TV’s (powered) usb sockets.

The DAC converter was supplied with all the necessary cabling. I bought it off eBay and it was very cheap,...about a fiver I think,....but (surprise, surprise) it didn’t work! I had to repair it myself,...works perfectly now though.

The Sony amp has its own remote control so my son generally sets the TV speaker volume to a usable level and them ‘mutes’ them,....then uses the  Sony amp remote  to control the sound volume to the hi-fi speakers. When the TV speakers are ‘muted’ it doesn’t ‘mute’ the digital sound output at the same time;...I’m not sure all Smart TV’s do that though.

I have no experience of HDMI extractors.

 

 

 

delmonta

TadleyBaggie said:

Does the HiFi amp support any type of remote control? In my A/V setup my HiFi amp is remote controllable and I use a Logitech hub to control all my devices via an app on my iPad.

Its an Arcam Alpha 7r, and you can get a remote for it. There is one on eBay now for £35, but I would need to DAC also. 

I just found this, it's like the DAC I linked to but with a remote. Reviews a ok but its hard to say : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Toslink-Coaxial-Optical-Adjustable/dp/B07G71BG3V/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=optical+rca&qid=1606738483&s=electronics&sr=1-18

delmonta

Biggus_Dickus said:

delmonta said:

Hi

I have a new smart TV which has not analogue audio outputs, and I have my Arcam amp with only RCA inputs.

I want to avoid bluetooth, so I was looking at either little DAC optical to RCA boxes like this

or HDMI extractors like this

Is there an advantage to one or the other? Or is there a better option

Also, will changing the volume on the TV still change the volume if I use these methods? Or will I only be able to change volume from the amplifier?

Any advice would be great
thanks

I fitted a DAC converter to my son’s 55” Hitachi Smart TV in 2017.It feeds sound from the TV’s digital sound output via the TosLink cable to the converter,...from the converter box it then feeds via RCA cables to the inputs of his Sony amp,  and thence to his Wharfedale hi-fi speakers. It really does improve the TV sound experience no end.

The DAC converter itself is tiny and can easily be concealed behind the TV if required. It takes its power from the one of the TV’s (powered) usb sockets.

The DAC converter was supplied with all the necessary cabling. I bought it off eBay and it was very cheap,...about a fiver I think,....but (surprise, surprise) it didn’t work! I had to repair it myself,...works perfectly now though.

The Sony amp has its own remote control so my son generally sets the TV speaker volume to a usable level and them ‘mutes’ them,....then uses the  Sony amp remote  to control the sound volume to the hi-fi speakers. When the TV speakers are ‘muted’ it doesn’t ‘mute’ the digital sound output at the same time;...I’m not sure all Smart TV’s do that though.

I have no experience of HDMI extractors.

 

 

 

Thanks, yeah I have no remote for my amp, so considering a little DAC with remote

alanwsg

The DAC with a volume control looks like your best bet, if you can get one.

BTW, the "HDMI extractor" you mentioned is not what you need, it connects to an HDMI source (E.G. skybox, games consol), not to your TV which doesn't provide a source.