I’m in a similar position, with Ubuntu/Pipewire on server and no muting, but I only use Linux (Mint) clients. However, I do not have any sound on the client. At the server end, I could simply power off my amplifier since this mode is only used for out-of-house situations but without a client end, I’m stuck. I’m using USB audio on the Ubuntu box and not HDMI, although it is connected to an HDMI TV. Please let me know what logging I should be doing. Toggling ‘mute on server’ has no effect.
Nomachine Client & Server 9.7.3
Client Mint 22.2
Server Ubuntu 24.04