[Edwii]

Here's my Idea/Question: 
I have all my audio going to my HT receiver (which is 7.1) via HDMI. I only have 5.1 speakers, leaving two rear channels unused. 
If a virtual sound device / program could run in windows and be configured to use only the unused channels, you could effectively use a HT as a headphone DAC and a 5.1 Reciever at the same time.
From what I understand, HT receivers have quite good DAC's in them any way, so why not use them right? 
 
Is there software out there that can create this configuration?
Any one out there want to make a program like this? lol.

 

[cel4145]

I'm a little confused by your question. Are you suggesting figuring out how to wire your headphones to the unused rear channels via speaker taps?

 

[Edwii]

I'm a little confused by your question. Are you suggesting figuring out how to wire your headphones to the unused rear channels via speaker taps?

No the HT has preout rca's that would work fine for a signal to a headphone amp. 
 
This is a question about the programing end of things.

 

[cel4145]

Then I don't understand what you are trying to do.

 

[Edwii]

So my pc is connected to the HT via HDMI. 
The HDMI port is consider a single audio device by the pc. It can be configured to send 2.1 or 5.1 or 7.1. 
I only use 5.1, which means the 7.1 channels are not in use. 
If there is program that could configure a virtual driver/audio device, to selectively use only the rear 7.1 channels, it would be like having a separate audio device/source just for headphones and one for 5.1, two DACs in one. 
Make sense?

 

[cel4145]

How is your receiver going to split off those rear channels? I doubt it's designed to do that.

 

[Edwii]

How is your receiver going to split off those rear channels? I doubt it's designed to do that.

The Receiver dosent, the pc can and would.   
When connected to the PC, the HT acts not unlike a power amp, the pc acts like the switcher telling which channels to use.

 

[MrKazador]

ffdshow can remap channels. I think I remember a similar component for foobar that allows you to remap channels.

 

[cel4145]

The Receiver dosent, the pc can and would.   
When connected to the PC, the HT acts not unlike a power amp, the pc acts like the switcher telling which channels to use.

I've never heard of a receiver that outputs the rear channels only to the headphone jack.

 

[Edwii]

I've never heard of a receiver that outputs the rear channels only to the headphone jack.

 
I see where you are confused. 
The HT's headphone jack is not part of this hypothetical set up. 
We would go PC HDMI ---> HT's rca preouts---> Separate Headphone Amp(like a Schiit Magni) ---> Headphones

 

[cel4145]

OK.

Good luck. Might be some really expensive pro audio sound mixing program that can do that. I'd probably find a pro audio and video editing forum and ask how to add a 2 channel music source onto a 5.1 source for 7.1 output.