Abstract: A system and method for sending a multi-channel PCM audio stream over a link. An encoder combines a plurality of individual PCM audio channels into a multi-channel audio stream and encodes the multi-channel audio stream to maintain channel order, wherein encoding includes using a bit of one of the encoded channels to mark the encoded channel as a first channel. A transmitter transmits the encoded multi-channel audio stream over the link. A receiver receives the transmitted and encoded multi-channel audio stream and recovers the encoded multi-channel audio stream and one or more clocks. A decoder locates the first channel and de-interleaves the multiple audio streams into individual PCM-encoded audio channels, wherein locating includes looking for the bit that marks the first channel.