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AppleTV high noise floor / better alternative?

Hi all, I hear substantial speaker hiss from AppleTV when playing at higher volume levels.  It doesn't happen with any of my other sources, it happens with 3 different AppleTVs, and interestingly it pauses for a moment when I change audio modes within the AppleTV settings.  This leads me to believe that AppleTV has a flaw in its audio circuitry, like it may be converting internally to analog and then resampling back to digital on low quality circuitry.  I'm sure there are forum members who know and understand the details better than I do.

Anyway, specifically for streaming music, what would be a better option?  I'm happy with my other gear so if the device could just get the digital audio stream into my A/V preprocessor without messing with it, I would be happy.

FYI, my main source is Amazon's new HD music service.  Also disappointing: there's an AppleTV app, but it doesn't handle HD music.  You need to stream from a recent phone or tablet to get HD.

time_fly
time_fly OP
1 posts
 
I should mention that the speaker hiss is constant even when nothing playing, so it has nothing to do with the network or source material.  It happens no matter what audio settings I use on the device.  I am connected via HDMI and of course switching the cable makes no difference.


jorgjean
76 posts
 
If you stream music then choose a streamer that handles Airplay.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
I have an Apple TV 4 and it is dead silent. I use the Amazon music app which is CD or higher audio.

I also stream the Berlin Philharmonic, VEMEO, Radio Paradise, and the MET Opera, which are all CD or higher quality audio apps on Apple TV.

Use an ethernet cable not Wi FI to the apple tv.

Also use fiber optic audio cable out of the TV, into a D/A converter, to preamp.
Post removed 
mahler123
3,322 posts
 
I have 2 Apple TV’s that are dead silent.  Have you tried complaining to Apple?  Perhaps a different unit can solve the issue.
If you want to upgrade the streamer, try the usual suspects....Bluesound, HEOS, it depends on your budget and there are multiple threads here.  Even if the Apple TV was replaced, it’s still a high jitter device with a poor DAC.  I was running one of my units  through its optical out into a DAC, but then I would have to disconnect that if I wanted to use the HDMI to stream a movie so that experiment didn’t last long
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