Yes, maybe others can benefit.

I always expected that HDMI cables could be used for analog signals. It's a very tight tolerance cable designed for digital and that also makes it great for analog. However, the distance has to be kept to within a few feet because the gauge is small.

I think the problem with PCM is it has to be converted at least twice before it gets amplified. If the conversions aren't clean, a lot of nasties degrade the signal.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated