[88keyz]

No it doesn't. As I posted, "Stick's 'Surround Sound' is on 'Best Available.'"

Those settings do not result in multichannel PCM output on my FTV4K with 6.2.7.7.  Stick on "Best Available" with Kodi set to "AudioTrack (IEC), Kodi IEC packer (recommended)" and Fixed 7.1.  FTV4K is connected directly to my Denon AVR.  Tried multiple files, all playback as Stereo.  Also tried "AudioTrack (RAW), Android IEC packer", same result, Stereo output.

CoreELEC will run on pretty much any Amlogic based Android box but a S905X3 device is the best bang for your buck.  The following is a decent option with only a MicroSD card required to install CoreELEC on.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000643684717.html