You usually can route video that way, but why? I mean, you could go straight from your Apple TV to a DAC.
Many (including me) report improvements in listening to these bargain audio streamers by putting a reclocker in the signal just before the DAC, unless the DAC itself includes an Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (ASRC)
I used to have my 5.1 and 2 ch integrated. I'm still unpacking. It's not taboo at all, but the issue has more to do with whether it's mostly HT, with a reasonably good procesor and preamp, or a 2 CH system that supports HT. I am in the latter camp really. I use an Oppo 103 to do the 5.1 decoding, and my Parasound P7 does the 6 channel volume control.
There is also the extremely rare audiophile who does multi-channel audio, in which case solving the home theater problem is very similar to solving the multi-channel problem. :)
Best,
Erik
Many (including me) report improvements in listening to these bargain audio streamers by putting a reclocker in the signal just before the DAC, unless the DAC itself includes an Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (ASRC)
I used to have my 5.1 and 2 ch integrated. I'm still unpacking. It's not taboo at all, but the issue has more to do with whether it's mostly HT, with a reasonably good procesor and preamp, or a 2 CH system that supports HT. I am in the latter camp really. I use an Oppo 103 to do the 5.1 decoding, and my Parasound P7 does the 6 channel volume control.
There is also the extremely rare audiophile who does multi-channel audio, in which case solving the home theater problem is very similar to solving the multi-channel problem. :)
Best,
Erik