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korkadapa

Member

Registered: 2008-08-27

Posts: 32

Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

Hi!

I recently built myself a new computer. The soundcard however, is the same one as before. The problem is though, that in the new computer, the soundcard is way more quiet. I'm able too raise the volume in alsamixer a bit, but then I get distortion/clipping instead.

I'm using the snd_virtuoso module (it's autoloaded), the same as on my old box.

I have tried using OSS instead of ALSA, but it's the same problem.

Is it possible that there's a hidden controller that I can't see in alsamixer? I don't have PCM for example, but I can't remember if it was there before either.

Is it at all possible that the new motherboard doesn't feed my soundcard with the same amount of power as my old one? It's a Asrock 990FX Extreme 4, not at all a bad motherboard so I highly doubt it.

I don't update my systems every day, so there might be some package that was updated within the last two weeks that I never updated on the old system, but that also sound unlikely.

I'm out of ideas here!

Simon

EDIT: It turns out, the Asus Xonar DX doesn't work very well without external power...

Last edited by korkadapa (2012-01-09 20:49:55)

brebs

Member

Registered: 2007-04-03

Posts: 3,742

Re: Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

updated within the last two weeks

The kernel, containing the ALSA kernel modules, for a start.

korkadapa

Member

Registered: 2008-08-27

Posts: 32

Re: Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

Downgrading the kernel didn't do anything. The problem was still there.

I'll see if it works on a livecd of ubuntu or something.

EDIT: It's equally quiet in Ubuntu.

Last edited by korkadapa (2012-01-09 18:21:41)

phekdra

Member

From: Devon, UK

Registered: 2011-12-17

Posts: 14

Re: Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

Downgrading the kernel didn't do anything. The problem was still there.

I'll see if it works on a livecd of ubuntu or something.

EDIT: It's equally quiet in Ubuntu.

  This probably won't be any help, but I also have a Xonar DX and the sound is fine. I've got a P67 motherboard and am running the latest kernel using the same module. Have you tried using alsamixer to check on the sound levels?

P

korkadapa

Member

Registered: 2008-08-27

Posts: 32

Re: Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

Downgrading the kernel didn't do anything. The problem was still there.

I'll see if it works on a livecd of ubuntu or something.

EDIT: It's equally quiet in Ubuntu.

  This probably won't be any help, but I also have a Xonar DX and the sound is fine. I've got a P67 motherboard and am running the latest kernel using the same module. Have you tried using alsamixer to check on the sound levels?

P

What controls do you have in alsamixer? For a 2.0 setup, only Master Front should be of any relevance, right? Or do you also have PCM or something similar? What's the maximum level you raise Master Front to without hearing any clipping?

This could actually be very helpful!

EDIT: Nevermind, I just remembered that this card needs external power... There never was a software problem!

Last edited by korkadapa (2012-01-09 20:49:05)

phekdra

Member

From: Devon, UK

Registered: 2011-12-17

Posts: 14

Re: Asus Xonar DX is too quiet/distorts when I try too raise the volume.

EDIT: Nevermind, I just remembered that this card needs external power... There never was a software problem!

Glad you fixed it - I briefly considered mentioning the external power requirements but decided no, nobody would forget something like that.

I set all my alsamixer channels (front, rear, centre, etc...) to about 80% as I had all kinds of distortion issues going any higher with my previous X-Fi. It doesn't seem to make a great deal of difference with the Xonar, but I keep them around that level just in case. Plus, any higher and the volume bar goes red, which scares me!

P