Streaming from a TV

Connect a Chromecast dongle to the TV's HDMI?

My TV is also the hub for AV eARC to the receiver then pre-out to pass-through of preamp which will feed the L&R fronts only. The receiver takes care of the Center channel and the surrounds. But when I want to stream music from TV (YouTube/Tiny Desk, etc),  I prefer 2.0 stereo, so I use a Toslink from the TV to a Schitt Modi dac to the preamp with an aux input just for that use and which feeds the two front mains bypassing the AV system. Sound is great, because the signal has been kept in the 2.0 channel chain. 

@mswale I would love to run the signal  thru the  TV on everything but I don't think the signal will be the greatest.  I have an exceptional Smc Audio preamp being built from Scratch.  So it will need to go straight to a DAC or thru a streamer.

Use HDMI, so much better, also easier to setup. HDMI has full bandwidth, toslink does not.

In my HT setup, my TV is the hub, everything plugs into it, using eArc from the TV to the receiver. TV is set for passthrough for sources and PCM for the TV. Using BlueJeans HDMI 2.1 cables, receiver is plugged directly into my WiFi router, as is the TV. 

Movies sounds wonderful, get my full surround sound. I can stream directly to my receiver using Tidal Connect, it displays song with artwork on the TV. Can also Airplay to the tv, but not as good as direct. 

With eArc, my receiver will automatically turn on/off change sources, keeps the settings for each source. 

I'm using the DAC within the Eversolo. I think it's very well integrated with the preamp. I love AKM dacs. Had the e90 prior. 

Tried a Gustard 26 R2R through the I2S and it didn't wow me. I didn't like controlling the volume with the dac. Sold the Gustard.

Get great sound via youtube via earc too.

Love the A8!

@1happyman I actually have an LD OLEED also.  Are you using the DAC in the A8 or do you have an external DAC?

The Bryston BDA-3 has 4 HDMI in and one output.

I was using the Optical out from my LD OLED to a Wimm Pro streamer...sounded ok. Upgraded to the Eversolo A8 with the EARC input from the tv EARC out. Youtube and TV now sound much better. In my case, EARC is much superior to the optical

I will probable stream music through a streamer when I am listening to music

I currently do this. I have the TV coming in to the DAC via optical and on old W4S modified SONOS ZP90 coming into the DAC via coax. The SONOS is a ROON endpoint. You just have to configure your AV unit with the correct inputs to handle it all. Nice to have a DAC that has various digital ins. AV config is a PIA.

One thing I have noticed is when the TV is going through the DAC is I have to turn up the volume more on the AV unit but once I do that is sounds much better. 

Edit: My AV set up is simple 3.1. I dont use any of the new fancy formats.

@mahler123 I do have HDMI and eARK.  

OP

Does your TV have HDMI?

I had thought about running Toslink from the TV to a Denafrips DDC like a GAIA and then a nice DAC.  Can you replace a good streamer with a good DDC and not have a great source like a TV or laptop?

There are a few DACs now that have HDMI ARC inputs that you could use with your TV.

I strongly urge you to try Toslink straight to your DAC - if it supports it. Tousling is used in TVs for good reason - it keeps the RF noise of a TV out from both the digital store, and more importantly -- the ground.  I have done it for years and you may be amazed how good much live music is on, say Youtube but also other services.

@mapman Thank you for the info on eARK.  I haven't seen any eARK inputs on streamers or DAC's.  I already have a SMc Audio preamp so I need a streamer only or a DAC. 

fastfreight,

@glennewdick  I see little advantage of converting Toslink to HDMI, unless you are missing the Toslink digital input.  Am I missing something?

Happy Holidays All!

I was refering to go from HDMI out of your TV converted to optical for your DAC. I think i missread your post sorry. 

Great Summary @mapman !  Certainly eARC over HDMI can carry the higher resolutions and formats, and can be very smart and clever when hooking components.  But I have had issues with incompatibility on some TV's.  For my simple video watching, Toslink direct from TV to DAC or Streamer works great for killer 2 channel with imaging that bests many center channel set ups; and it is bomb proof. 

@glennewdick  I see little advantage of converting Toslink to HDMI, unless you are missing the Toslink digital input.  Am I missing something?

Happy Holidays All!

there are converters out there that can convert eARC (HDMI) to TOSLINK etc.  check your tv as well, many also have optical/coax out. 

Differences between toslink and hdmi e/arc:

When comparing eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and Toslink (also known as optical audio), there are several key differences and advantages to consider. Here’s a breakdown of how they stack up against each other:

### Audio Quality
- **eARC**: Supports high-resolution audio formats, including uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, as well as advanced formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This capability allows for a more immersive audio experience, making it ideal for modern home theater setups [[1]](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS)[[2]](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/learn/opitical-vs-hdmi).
- **Toslink**: Generally supports compressed audio formats and can handle up to 5.1 surround sound, but it does not support uncompressed audio or advanced formats like Dolby Atmos. This limits its effectiveness for high-end audio systems [[1]](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).

### Bandwidth and Speed
- **eARC**: Offers significantly higher bandwidth compared to Toslink, which allows it to transmit high-bitrate audio without compression. This is crucial for maintaining audio fidelity, especially with high-definition content [[2]](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/learn/opitical-vs-hdmi)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).
- **Toslink**: Has a lower bandwidth, which restricts its ability to transmit high-quality audio signals. It is typically limited to standard audio formats and does not support the latest high-definition audio technologies [[1]](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS).

### Connectivity and Setup
- **eARC**: Simplifies the connection process by allowing audio and video signals to be transmitted through a single HDMI cable. This reduces cable clutter and makes setup easier, especially in complex home theater systems [[2]](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/learn/opitical-vs-hdmi)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).
- **Toslink**: Requires a separate optical cable for audio, which means you will typically need additional cables for video connections (like HDMI). This can complicate setups and lead to more cable management issues [[1]](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).

### Compatibility
- **eARC**: Designed for modern devices, eARC is found on many new TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers. It is backward compatible with standard ARC, but to take full advantage of its features, both devices must support eARC [[2]](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/learn/opitical-vs-hdmi)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).
- **Toslink**: While still widely used, Toslink is more common in older devices. It can connect to a variety of audio equipment, but its limitations in audio quality make it less suitable for high-end systems [[1]](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS)[[3]](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ).

### Conclusion
In summary, eARC is the superior choice for modern audio setups, offering better audio quality, higher bandwidth, and simplified connectivity compared to Toslink. If you are looking to maximize your audio experience with the latest formats and technologies, eARC is the way to go. However, if you are using older equipment or need a simple audio connection, Toslink may still be a viable option.

---
Learn more:
1. [HDMI ARC vs. Optical - Which Is Better?](https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOoqRb9LFFPf-H9cXoUHJq4ccPvnOttIbGrdJMS8vu1BspfOkTGmS)
2. [Optical vs HDMI: Which Is Better? - RTINGS.com](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/learn/opitical-vs-hdmi)
3. [HDMI ARC vs Optical: What are the Differences? - VCELINK](https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/hdmi-arc-vs-optical?srsltid=AfmBOopoDZpBYcFlhpsWSSnWZGj20-1sKqash-JTAEQHO6cSHA4iwAGQ)

For the record, worth noting most newer TVs and many streamers (like sound bars) support hdmi e/arc. That’s probably the latest and greatest interface to use between TV and sound system. I run it from my Samsung Smart TV to a Cambridge Evo 150 for example.

More:

eARC, or Enhanced Audio Return Channel, is a feature introduced with the HDMI 2.1 specification that significantly improves the audio capabilities of HDMI connections. Here are the key points about eARC:

1. **High-Quality Audio Transmission**: eARC allows for the transmission of high-resolution audio signals without compression, ensuring that the original audio quality is preserved when sent from a TV to an audio receiver or soundbar [[1]](https://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/)[[3]](https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/).

2. **Support for Advanced Audio Formats**: It supports a wide range of high-bitrate audio formats, including uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, as well as advanced formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This capability enables a more immersive audio experience, akin to that found in movie theaters [[2]](https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/enhancedaudioreturnchannel).

3. **Simplified Connectivity**: eARC simplifies the connection process between devices. It allows audio from various sources (like cable, satellite, or streaming services) to be sent to an audio receiver or soundbar through a single HDMI cable, reducing cable clutter and complexity [[2]](https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/enhancedaudioreturnchannel).

4. **Improved Bandwidth and Speed**: One of the main advantages of eARC over the previous Audio Return Channel (ARC) is its increased bandwidth and speed, which are essential for handling high-quality audio formats [[3]](https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/).

5. **Ease of Setup**: Setting up eARC on compatible devices, such as Samsung Smart TVs, typically involves connecting the HDMI cable to the appropriate ports and adjusting settings in the TV's menu to enable eARC mode [[3]](https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/).

In summary, eARC enhances the audio experience by allowing for high-quality, uncompressed audio transmission, supporting advanced audio formats, and simplifying device connectivity.

---
Learn more:
1. [What eARC is and how to set on Samsung Smart TV](https://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/)
2. [HDMI ARC - What is eARC? Audio Return Channel](https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/enhancedaudioreturnchannel)
3. [What eARC is and how to set on Samsung Smart TV | Samsung Jordan](https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/tv-audio-video/what-is-earc-and-how-to-set-on-samsung-smart-tv/)

IFI I-Purifier. Use that exact same setup on my system with toslink coming out of tv. Cheap and makes a huge difference. All you need for a situation like that IMO. 
 

you use a Toslink to mini toslink and that end plugs into the side of the I Purifier. The Ipurifier plugs into the Coax input of whatever DAC you are using. Way more solid less digital sound. Even streaming YouTube videos sounds passable.