Are there any 'affordable' multi-channel network music players with an HDMI output

[Ranasakawa]

I'm currently in Guangzhou China and I am amazed how many Bluetooth multi audio players are available now. They are multi format HDMI etc. I am reviewing a few at the moment before I fly back home.

 

[HomerJAU]

and I'm not sure there is currently a better all round option?

Shield is a proven warrior, if you have one there are not many reasons to update. But if you’re starting out?

If you want pure speed (navigation of a music library) Intel NUCs kill everything. If you want Dolby Vision FEL there are alternatives.

I have 3 recent smart TVs (All LG OLED) with all the supported apps I need. No need to duplicate on a media player.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

Sadly we seem to have wandered off this topics original course...

While I note the attraction of having an all-in-one 'audio and video' media player, it's not what I was indenting to discuss

 

[mutant_matt]

Sadly we seem to have wandered off this topics original course...

While I note the attraction of having an all-in-one 'audio and video' media player, it's not what I was indenting to discuss

Indeed, but what is being asked for, pretty much is usually covered by something that also does video...

I'm not sure there are many audio only playback devices that tightly fit the bill, outside of making your own (which I have also done in the past, and likely will do again at some point).

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm not sure there are many audio only playback devices that tightly fit the bill, outside of making your own (which I have also done in the past, and likely will do again at some point).

Agreed.... While there appears to be dozens of 'stereo' network music players/streamers (even ones with stereo amplifiers), ranging from £150.00 to an eye watering $4,000.00) I'm yet to find a multi-channel player/streamer with HDMI output.

 

[johnbs]

Indeed, but what is being asked for, pretty much is usually covered by something that also does video...

I'm not sure there are many audio only playback devices that tightly fit the bill, outside of making your own (which I have also done in the past, and likely will do again at some point).

I bought a Zidoo Z9X which does the trick for me, including Roon Ready. It also does video but I use it just for audio

 

[barfle]

Can your Marantz AV7706 see audio files stored within the .mka container?

I don’t have any, so I don’t know. Where do those files come from?

 

[barfle]

Agreed.... While there appears to be dozens of 'stereo' network music players/streamers (even ones with stereo amplifiers), ranging from £150.00 to an eye watering $4,000.00) I'm yet to find a multi-channel player/streamer with HDMI output.

Do you specifilly want something WITHOUT video?

 

[somethingcleveridunno]

I have 3 recent smart TVs (All LG OLED) with all the supported apps I need. No need to duplicate on a media player.

Do those handle multichannel PCM FLAC?

 

[somethingcleveridunno]

Agreed.... While there appears to be dozens of 'stereo' network music players/streamers (even ones with stereo amplifiers), ranging from £150.00 to an eye watering $4,000.00) I'm yet to find a multi-channel player/streamer with HDMI output.

Several have been suggested... while they have video features, ones like the Shield can be run headless from your phone.

An old Windows 10 laptop provides the most options, if you've got one lying around, and just put a long HDMI cable on it...

 

[somethingcleveridunno]

I'm currently in Guangzhou China and I am amazed how many Bluetooth multi audio players are available now. They are multi format HDMI etc. I am reviewing a few at the moment before I fly back home.

Hard pass on Bluetooth, really, in a world where you can cast from a smartphone to so many devices. It hasn't the bandwidth to handle high-rest or multichannel audio, nor is it convenient or reliable as casting due to often odious paring and compatibility.

But I'm curious about the other specs.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

Do you specifilly want something WITHOUT video?

Yes. Multi-channel audio/music only devices.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

Several have been suggested... while they have video features, ones like the Shield can be run headless from your phone.

An old Windows 10 laptop provides the most options, if you've got one lying around, and just put a long HDMI cable on it...

Neither of your suggestions are options I wish to entertain...

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm currently in Guangzhou China and I am amazed how many Bluetooth multi audio players are available now. They are multi format HDMI etc. I am reviewing a few at the moment before I fly back home.

Are they 'multi-channel' capable?

 

[James Hoffmann]

I have an older (2014) MeLe standalone player that accepted SATA drives - that played quite a number of formats for it's time. I wish that there were an 4K version that works with current formats.
I have found that high end laptops can do what I need (but at a price).
The better option for me is a nicely priced NUC running Windows 11 (and all the Audio/Video apps that I require). Clunky, but cheap and endlessly flexible! I just need to find one that is 4K capable.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

@James Hoffmann

As I mentioned in post #43...

While I note the attraction of having an all-in-one 'audio and video' media player, it's not what I was indenting to discuss