Apple TV does not remember audio output device

As Apple no longer provides a digital sound output from its Apple TVs …

I don’t think that is true, as HDMI provides video AND digital audio. But the legacy audio connectors were indeed removed on later models (A1625 or later).

I have to set the output device (an offboard amplifier) manually via Airplay in Audio output.

1. Audio output via AirPlay is always temporary (except for HomePod speakers), and the setting won’t “stick”.
2. Can you elaborate on “offboard” amplifier? I haven’t heard others name their sound system like that.

1. Is there a solution to this

Indirectly, see below.

2. Is there the slightest chance of Apple actually implementing the trivial software fix that would be required here?

Maybe, if enough users make such a request.

If your amplifier doesn’t have an HDMI connector, then you may be able to use the digital audio output from your TV, using your TV for audio passthrough.

• Apple TV →[HDMI]→ TV →[optical or coaxial or RCA]→ amplifier

Then set Apple TV to output audio to the TV (over HDMI), and set the TV to output any audio to the amplifier.

For this, also set the Apple TV audio format to DD 5.1 or 2.0, depending on the speaker configuration, as the Auto setting defaults to PCM Multichannel, which is not supported over optical or coaxial or RCA.

Alternatively, you may choose to insert an HDMI Audio Extractor box in the setup, when audio passthrough through the TV is not wanted or supported, or otherwise in the avoidance realm. Using this setup, the Apple TV box is the only device using this audio connection.

• Apple TV →[HDMI]→ HDMI Audio Extractor →[HDMI]→ TV

↘︎[optical or coaxial or RCA]→ amplifier

Richard Harris2 wrote:

1. I'm not using a TV, but a monitor (we don't have broadcast TV hereabouts), so there is nothing to come from the TV

2. S/PDIF & TosLink are NOT legacy outputs, by any stretch of the imagination

3. I used to use a splitter with my old amp, but that will require a deal more dev work on the amp/streamer, whereas Airplay works right now. Or should.

So that did not help in the slightest. I asked a very specific question, and that's what I'm looking for the answer to.

This is user-to-user forum. If you want a very specific answer then contact Apple: Official Apple Support