Arch Linux

Evil_Hamster

Member

Registered: 2021-01-14

Posts: 27

How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

Hi all,

I bought a usb-c to 3.5mm adapter (something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=usb+c+3.5m … doa-p_1_9).

However, when I plug my headphones in (I tried 2 laptops and 2 earphones) nothing happens.
It is not recognized anywhere I could find.

Anyone have any tips on how to force audio through the usb-c port?

Cheers.

ua4000

Member

Registered: 2015-10-14

Posts: 418

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

Hi all,
It is not recognized anywhere I could find.

boot your laptop without adapter, then run "dmesg -w", plug in the adapter, post the new lines from dmesg here.

Evil_Hamster

Member

Registered: 2021-01-14

Posts: 27

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

No new lines are appearing...

ua4000

Member

Registered: 2015-10-14

Posts: 418

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

something like this

Can you please post the exact vendor + model ?

Also please post the output of "lsusb" - with adapter plugged in - do you see your new usb sound adapter here ?

Last edited by ua4000 (2022-12-30 14:02:18)

Evil_Hamster

Member

Registered: 2021-01-14

Posts: 27

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

It is precisely
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384119676559 … 2371284583
this model. Not sure, if there is any difference though.. USB is USB (unless I am very wrong here...)

My laptop is a Thinkpad Yoga 370.
My unmame -a output is
Linux ArchThink 6.1.1-arch1-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Wed, 21 Dec 2022 22:27:55 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Unfortunaltey, lsusb is also not recognising it.

Cheers.

Slithery

Administrator

From: Norfolk, UK

Registered: 2013-12-01

Posts: 5,776

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

As the description in the Ebay link states that adapter is only supported by Android devices that have their USB port wired in a certain fashion.

It won't work as a standalone adapter for a PC.

---

No, it didn't "fix" anything. It just shifted the brokeness one space to the right. - jasonwryan
Closing -- for deletion; Banning -- for muppetry. - jasonwryan

aur - dotfiles

ua4000

Member

Registered: 2015-10-14

Posts: 418

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

>This Type-C Adapter is NOT compatible with RAZER Phone, MAC Book, iPad Pro, Essential PH-1,Motorola phones, Google pixel 2/3 and HTC U11 Model.

I suspect this is only a passive adapter.
For a laptop you need an "active" adapter, e.g. something with a DAC chip, from your 1st link to amazon the Anker product e.g. states:
"Listen to music, podcasts, and more in full 96kHz/24-bit transmission, with no drop-off in quality thanks to the built-in DAC chip. "

This is no recommendation for Anker. Choose something commonly used, with a default DAC, which is supported by linux kernel.

Evil_Hamster

Member

Registered: 2021-01-14

Posts: 27

Re: How to direct sound to usb-c-to-3.5-mm adapter?

The more you know...
Thanks strangers. I never would have thought to check the listings on a USB device before... Unbelievable.

If I may ask, is this a USBc thing, or can something like this also happen with a "normal" USB (A).

And if only USBc, what should I look out for? Just the "DAC chip"? I mean, for other types of devices and use cases. Basically, this item costed next to nothing, so I do not care all that much. But if I buy something else maybe more expensive (maybe a screen, headphones, Blue-ray player... anything with a USB connection), do I always have to make sure that the USBc device lists a "DAC chip"? Is there anything else to look out for?

Sorry guys for the extra questions, but my whole understanding of USB's has been shattered

Cheers and have a nice day.