Support · Setup Guide

How to Play Your
5.1 FLAC Files

A complete guide to getting the best possible playback from your PhantomStage 5.1 conversions — on receivers, headphones, Android boxes, Apple devices, and dedicated DACs.

The Single Most Important Setting

Always set your AV receiver to Multi-Channel Direct or Pure Direct mode when playing these files. This tells your receiver to pass all six channels straight to your speakers exactly as delivered — no DSP, no upmixing, no room correction re-processing. Using modes like Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, or any "movie" preset will apply additional surround processing on top of an already-crafted upmix, degrading the result. The conversion was made for your speakers to handle directly.

Method 01

AV Receiver + Home Theater System

Connection

HDMI Is Required

Optical (S/PDIF) or coaxial digital connections cannot carry 6-channel PCM audio. HDMI is the only consumer connection that passes lossless multi-channel PCM from a player to your receiver.

  • 1
    Connect your playback device to your AV receiver using an HDMI cable
  • 2
    Configure your playback software to output multi-channel PCM (not bitstream) — the player decodes the FLAC and sends raw PCM to the receiver
  • 3
    On your receiver, select the Multi-Channel Direct or Pure Direct listening mode
  • 4
    Verify all 6 channels are active on your receiver's display — FL, FR, C, SL, SR, LFE should all show signal
⚠ Optical / S/PDIF cannot carry multi-channel PCM. It is limited to 2-channel stereo PCM or compressed Dolby Digital / DTS bitstreams only. Do not use optical for these files.

Receiver Setting

Mode to Select

This setting varies slightly by brand but the principle is the same across all major AV receivers.

Denon / Marantz

Multi-Channel Stereo → Multi-Ch In

Or press "Pure Direct" — bypasses all DSP and video processing for the cleanest signal path.

Yamaha

Multich / Multi-Channel In

Found under "Sound Mode." Designed explicitly for multichannel PCM sources.

Onkyo / Pioneer / Sony

Multi-Channel Direct

Sometimes labeled "Direct" — disables all surround processing and passes channels through unchanged.

⚠ Never use Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X, Dolby Pro Logic, or any auto-upmixing mode — these will re-process an already-crafted surround mix.

Windows / Mac — Best App

JRiver Media Center

The most reliable solution for bit-perfect multi-channel FLAC playback on desktop. Set WASAPI (Windows) or CoreAudio (Mac) as the audio device and it handles all channel routing automatically.

  • 1
    Install JRiver and set output to your HDMI audio device (WASAPI Exclusive on Windows)
  • 2
    Configure Windows speaker output to 5.1 Surround in Sound Settings → Playback Devices
  • 3
    In JRiver: Options → Audio → Output format → Multi-channel — disable any downmix
  • 4
    Play your 5.1 FLAC — JRiver sends 6-channel PCM over HDMI to your receiver
foobar2000 — Free Kodi — Free

Windows — Free Alternative

foobar2000 + WASAPI

Free, lightweight, and fully capable. Requires the WASAPI output component plugin for bit-perfect multi-channel output.

  • 1
    Install foobar2000 and add the WASAPI output support component from the official component page
  • 2
    In Preferences → Playback → Output → select WASAPI (event): HDMI audio device
  • 3
    Set Windows sound output to 5.1 Surround and confirm your HDMI device is configured for 6 channels
  • 4
    Play the file — foobar2000 passes all 6 channels directly to your receiver with no downmix
Free Windows

Method 02

Android TV Boxes

Best Overall

NVIDIA Shield Pro + Kodi

The gold standard for Android-based multichannel FLAC playback. Kodi on the Shield outputs multi-channel FLAC as PCM over HDMI natively, without downsampling.

  • 1
    Install Kodi on NVIDIA Shield Pro from the Play Store
  • 2
    In Kodi: Settings → System → Audio → set output to HDMI and enable Allow Passthrough
  • 3
    Set Number of Channels to 5.1 — Kodi will output PCM to your receiver
  • 4
    On your receiver, confirm Multi-Channel Direct mode is selected
Kodi — Free

Good Alternative

Any Android TV Box + VLC

VLC for Android TV handles multi-channel FLAC and passes PCM over HDMI on most Android TV boxes. No additional configuration needed in most cases.

  • 1
    Install VLC for Android TV from the Play Store (the TV version, not phone version)
  • 2
    In VLC: Settings → Audio → Audio Output → AudioTrack or HDMI Direct
  • 3
    Play the file and check your receiver display — it should show multi-channel PCM input
⚠ Avoid built-in Smart TV media players — they typically downmix multi-channel FLAC to stereo without warning.
Free Any Android TV

Advanced Option

Kodi + USB Drive

If network streaming causes issues, loading your 5.1 FLAC files onto a USB drive and playing locally via Kodi on any Android box is the most reliable path to bit-perfect output.

  • 1
    Copy your 5.1 FLAC files to a USB drive formatted in exFAT or NTFS
  • 2
    Plug into your Android box and open Kodi
  • 3
    Add the USB folder as a Music source and play — confirm multi-channel PCM on receiver

Note: Some Denon and Marantz receivers downmix multi-channel FLAC when streamed from a network source (UPnP/DLNA). USB playback via a media player avoids this issue entirely.

Method 03

Apple — Mac, iPhone & iPad

iOS / iPadOS / Apple TV

Infuse Pro

The most capable media player for the Apple ecosystem. Infuse Pro handles multi-channel FLAC natively and outputs lossless multi-channel PCM via HDMI to your receiver — including through the Apple TV 4K.

  • 1
    Install Infuse Pro from the App Store — annual or lifetime license required for full format support
  • 2
    Add your files via local network share (SMB), NAS, or connected USB storage (USB-C devices)
  • 3
    Connect to your AV receiver via HDMI (Apple TV 4K → receiver, or USB-C HDMI adapter from iPhone/iPad)
  • 4
    Infuse automatically outputs multi-channel PCM — set receiver to Multi-Channel Direct
Apple TV 4K iOS / iPadOS

macOS — Best App

JRiver for Mac

JRiver Media Center is available for macOS and handles multi-channel FLAC over HDMI or USB to a receiver. The CoreAudio output correctly routes all 6 channels when macOS is configured for 5.1 output.

  • 1
    Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications → Utilities) and set your HDMI output to 5.1 Surround
  • 2
    In JRiver: set output to your HDMI device and disable any downmix or DSP
  • 3
    Play your 5.1 FLAC — all 6 channels are sent via HDMI as multi-channel PCM

Also works well: Audirvana Studio (macOS/Windows) — audiophile-focused player with multi-channel FLAC support and bit-perfect CoreAudio output.

macOS

Method 04

Headphones — Binaural Rendering

How Headphone Playback Works

Standard headphones only have two drivers (left ear / right ear) — they cannot natively reproduce 6 discrete channels. To experience the full 5.1 surround on headphones, a binaural renderer is used: software that maps each channel to your ears using HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) processing, simulating the perception of sound coming from different directions around you.

Windows — Best Option

foobar2000 + DTS:X for Headphones

Play your 5.1 FLAC in foobar2000 (with WASAPI output) and activate DTS:X for Headphones ($20, from Microsoft Store) as your Windows spatial audio system. It intercepts the multi-channel PCM and renders it binaurally in real time.

  • 1
    Purchase DTS:X for Headphones from the Microsoft Store
  • 2
    Right-click speaker icon → Sound Settings → your headphones → Spatial Sound: DTS:X for Headphones
  • 3
    Open foobar2000, set output to WASAPI: your headphones
  • 4
    Play your 5.1 FLAC — DTS:X renders all 6 channels binaurally in real time
foobar2000 — Free Windows Sonic — Free

Mac / Windows — Audiophile

APL Virtuoso Standalone

A professional-grade binaural renderer with HRTF profiles for specific headphone models and room simulation. It can play multi-channel WAV/FLAC files directly from its standalone app and renders them in 3D space for headphones.

  • 1
    Download APL Virtuoso Standalone — free tier available with limited rooms; paid for full access
  • 2
    Load your 5.1 FLAC file directly into Virtuoso — set your speaker layout to 5.1
  • 3
    Select your headphone model for the matched EQ profile — put on headphones and play

Virtuoso uses SOFA-format HRTF files and is regarded as one of the most accurate binaural renderers available outside of professional studio tools.

Free tier available Mac & Windows

Receiver Headphone Out

AVR Headphone Jack

Many modern AV receivers include a headphone output with built-in virtual surround processing. Connect your headphones directly to the receiver's front headphone jack while files are playing in Multi-Channel Direct mode.

  • 1
    Plug headphones into your receiver's front headphone jack
  • 2
    Some receivers offer Dolby Headphone or DTS Headphone:X mode specifically for the headphone output — enable if available
  • 3
    Play in Multi-Channel Direct — the receiver downmixes the 6 channels to headphone-optimised stereo

Quality varies by receiver. Higher-end Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha models include surprisingly capable headphone stages.

Method 05

Dedicated Multi-Channel DACs

For audiophiles who want to bypass the AV receiver's DAC entirely and drive amplifiers directly from a dedicated multi-channel DAC, the following options provide 6-channel analog output with no DSP interference — delivering the signal exactly as converted.

Audiophile Grade

Okto Research dac8 PRO

8-channel DAC with USB input and 8 balanced XLR outputs. Reviewed extensively by Stereophile and Audio Science Review as one of the best-measured multi-channel DACs available at any price. Plays multi-channel FLAC via USB directly from JRiver, Roon, or foobar2000 on your PC or Mac — no AVR required.

  • 1
    Connect via USB to your PC/Mac running JRiver, Roon, or foobar2000
  • 2
    Use 6 of the 8 XLR analog outputs to drive your amplifiers directly (one per channel)
  • 3
    No AVR or HDMI required — pure digital-to-analog with no processing applied

Available from oktoresearch.com — ships internationally from Czech Republic. Limited availability; get on their notification list.

8 × Balanced XLR USB / AES / SPDIF

Accessible Entry Point

miniDSP U-DAC8

An 8-channel USB DAC with unbalanced RCA outputs. Plug-and-play on Mac and Windows (ASIO/WDM drivers). Designed specifically for multi-channel audio playback and active crossover use. A straightforward, affordable way to connect a computer directly to 6-channel amplification without a receiver.

  • 1
    Connect via USB to your computer — drivers install automatically on Mac, WDM/ASIO on Windows
  • 2
    Use channels 1–6 (RCA) to feed your amplifiers or powered monitors
  • 3
    Play via Audirvana, JRiver, or foobar2000 with the U-DAC8 selected as output

Note: The original U-DAC8 has been periodically discontinued by miniDSP. Check minidsp.com for current availability or equivalent models.

8 × RCA Unbalanced Mac & Windows
Setup Recommended App Receiver Mode Notes
Windows PC → AVR JRiver or foobar2000 Multi-Channel Direct HDMI required. Set Windows speaker output to 5.1. WASAPI Exclusive mode for bit-perfect output.
Mac → AVR JRiver or Audirvana Multi-Channel Direct Set Audio MIDI Setup to 5.1 output. HDMI required. CoreAudio routes all 6 channels.
NVIDIA Shield Pro Kodi (preferred) or VLC Multi-Channel Direct Best Android box for multichannel FLAC. Set Kodi audio to HDMI, 5.1 channels, PCM output.
Android TV Box (generic) VLC for Android TV Multi-Channel Direct Avoid built-in TV players. VLC handles multichannel FLAC natively. USB drive playback most reliable.
Apple TV 4K Infuse Pro Multi-Channel Direct Connect Apple TV via HDMI to receiver. Infuse Pro outputs multichannel PCM automatically.
iPhone / iPad → AVR Infuse Pro + USB-C HDMI Multi-Channel Direct Use Apple USB-C Digital AV Adapter or USB-C HDMI cable. Works well for 5.1 FLAC and Auro-3D.
Headphones — Windows foobar2000 + DTS:X N/A — Binaural DTS:X for Headphones ($20, MS Store) renders 5.1 binaurally in real time via Windows Spatial Audio.
Headphones — Mac / Win APL Virtuoso Standalone N/A — Binaural Professional HRTF renderer. Loads multichannel FLAC directly. Best binaural quality available.
DAC Only (no receiver) JRiver / Roon / foobar2000 N/A — Direct Analog Okto dac8 PRO or miniDSP U-DAC8 connects via USB. 6 analog outputs feed amps directly — no DSP.