Audio extraction from the Apple TV

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Level 1

58 points

Audio extraction from the Apple TV

Hi there

I'm an audiophile and I have a Rotel amplifier that is not compatible with airplay. So with the old Apple TV it was easy, I had connected the optical output to my Rotel Amp and then could use it to send music via airplay to my audio system.

Now I have an Apple TV 4K box, which as you know does not have optical output it has only the HDMI. So, I have installed an HDMI audio extractor between the Apple TV and the TV, and connected its spdif output to my Rotel amp. It works but I don't know why, my TV needs to be switched on to make it work.

Do you have a better idea for this? I'm adding a diagram of the whole setup here below with some comments.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Edited by Moderator]

Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)

Posted on Oct 8, 2025 7:13 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,106 points

Oct 11, 2025 2:31 AM in response to CESNET

Apple TV can send a power management CEC signal to other HDMI devices to have them turn on or off (standby) following the Apple TV box. The TV would typically react to that, if it also has CEC activated. Have you tried with that set to Off? Use the Apple TV remote to control your TV and receiver (CEC) - Apple Support

The RSP 1570 has HDMI-in, allowing more uncompressed multichannel audio bandwidth than S/PDIF (not relevant for stereo). You would then need a different type of Audio Extractor though: HDMI-in to HDMI-out [video] + HDMI-out [audio]. Examples are HDfury Arcana (a bit pricy), or competing products like Orei HDA or Feintech VAX or an AE product from Ezcoo.

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