zenpmd Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Has anyone done this? If so, what distro? I'd like to use Debian Thanks Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
mansr Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I don't have one, but USB audio is supported out of the box by all Linux distros. There should be no problem. Link to comment
Axiom05 Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I am using Arch Linux with an Ayre QB-9DSD. The only issue I encountered was that if the Linux computer is restarted, the power to the DAC needs to be cycled for it to reconnect. I keep my NUC on all the time with mpd running. You may find things different with the Benchmark. Main System: [Synology DS216, Rpi-4b LMS (pCP)], Holo Audio Red, Ayre QX-5 Twenty, Ayre KX-5 Twenty, Ayre VX-5 Twenty, Revel Ultima Studio2, Iconoclast speaker cables & interconnects, RealTraps acoustic treatments Living Room: Sonore ultraRendu, Ayre QB-9DSD, Simaudio MOON 340iX, B&W 802 Diamond Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks guys. Axiom, what do you mean by cycled? Oddly my benchmark worked straight away after I installed Linux and now, a day later it doesn't show up in the sound settings at all? I have no idea what to do. Any advice? Thanks Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks guys. Axiom, what do you mean by cycled? Oddly my benchmark worked straight away after I installed Linux and now, a day later it doesn't show up in the sound settings at all? I have no idea what to do. Any advice? Thanks Hi, I've been using Benchmark DAC2 for over 2 years on Linux. Tried various distro-s - all worked (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch). I am running squeezelite player on it and most of the time squeezebox (aka Logitech Media Server) on it as well. All it takes is for alsa to recognise it (and it did by default). However after fresh linux installation open command line prompt type alsamixer and un-mute DAC2 (if it says MM under the bar make it 00)... in addition squeezelite has a new switch where it can do that on start ... needs some fiddling. My ONLY and Major gripe with DAC2 is that via USB whenever sampling frequency changes (i.e. 96khz song followed by 44.1 regular CD) then DAC needs more time then per specs to 'sync up' with new sample rate. That causes about 0.5 seconds (and on some tracks that is first syllable or drum or something) to get lost ... if you have playlist that mix songs from various albums with different sampling rates - it will get annoying. The ONLY solution i have found is to ask squeezelite to make 0.6-0.7sec pause between songs of different sample rates and that makes 'gapless' playback system little bit less gapless and as my HD collection grows it annoys more and more. I don't think Benchmark ever released any firmware upgrades that might address the issue ... anyone knows ? Other then that - i love the sound ... and features of DAC2 ! Let me know if any other help needed ! br Link to comment
Axiom05 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks guys. Axiom, what do you mean by cycled? Oddly my benchmark worked straight away after I installed Linux and now, a day later it doesn't show up in the sound settings at all? I have no idea what to do. Any advice? Thanks Sorry... to cycle the power: unplug from AC outlet, plug in again. My DAC has no power switch, maybe the Benchmark does. I found this was the only way to reconnect the DAC, just unplugging the USB cable did not work. Main System: [Synology DS216, Rpi-4b LMS (pCP)], Holo Audio Red, Ayre QX-5 Twenty, Ayre KX-5 Twenty, Ayre VX-5 Twenty, Revel Ultima Studio2, Iconoclast speaker cables & interconnects, RealTraps acoustic treatments Living Room: Sonore ultraRendu, Ayre QB-9DSD, Simaudio MOON 340iX, B&W 802 Diamond Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Hi, I've been using Benchmark DAC2 for over 2 years on Linux. Tried various distro-s - all worked (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch). I am running squeezelite player on it and most of the time squeezebox (aka Logitech Media Server) on it as well. All it takes is for alsa to recognise it (and it did by default). However after fresh linux installation open command line prompt type alsamixer and un-mute DAC2 (if it says MM under the bar make it 00)... in addition squeezelite has a new switch where it can do that on start ... needs some fiddling. My ONLY and Major gripe with DAC2 is that via USB whenever sampling frequency changes (i.e. 96khz song followed by 44.1 regular CD) then DAC needs more time then per specs to 'sync up' with new sample rate. That causes about 0.5 seconds (and on some tracks that is first syllable or drum or something) to get lost ... if you have playlist that mix songs from various albums with different sampling rates - it will get annoying. The ONLY solution i have found is to ask squeezelite to make 0.6-0.7sec pause between songs of different sample rates and that makes 'gapless' playback system little bit less gapless and as my HD collection grows it annoys more and more. I don't think Benchmark ever released any firmware upgrades that might address the issue ... anyone knows ? Other then that - i love the sound ... and features of DAC2 ! Let me know if any other help needed ! br Thanks so much. I am still having problems! My Nuforce DAC works totally fine (as it always does, on windows too) but the Benchmark remains buggy! I checked alsamixer and its on 00. Its recognised in Linux and I select it in sound settings but it wont make a sound when trying to play anything. Oddly, the U light is on as is the 44 light but standard 16 light doesnt light up either. Any idea why? It does in windows as I am testing it now. Thanks Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 hi, have you tried speaker-test command ... not having bits light go on means DAC is receiving no data via USB. if speaker-test works or google 'aplay' command if you want to test if WAV file can be played. if that works then something is 'off' with settings in whatever you use for player ... not sure how much this helps... ? Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 i tried that too but nothing! Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 hi, why dont you try 1st in command line window following command: aplay -L on my pc here is the output: zh@mini:~$ aplay -L null Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture) default:CARD=B20 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Default Audio Device sysdefault:CARD=B20 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Default Audio Device front:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Front speakers surround21:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers surround40:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers iec958:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output dmix:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Hardware device with all software conversions then you pick (assuming Benchmark DAC2 does show up) simple thing like 'default:CARD=B20' and type following: speaker-test -D default:CARD=B20 and copy/paste output of what happens. it should play pink-noise @ 48000 khz and lights on DAC2 will show you that Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Thanks friend. Here is my output from aplay: aplay -L default Playback/recording through the PulseAudio sound server null Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture) pulse PulseAudio Sound Server hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=0 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=1 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=2 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 HDMI Audio Output dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Hardware device with all software conversions sysdefault:CARD=PCH HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Default Audio Device front:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Front speakers surround40:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers iec958:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output dmix:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Hardware device with all software conversions sysdefault:CARD=B10 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Default Audio Device front:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Front speakers surround40:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers iec958:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output dmix:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=B10,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 1.0, USB Audio Hardware device with all software conversions I dont understand your second instruction, however. Bear in mind I am a Linux noob Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 hi zenpmd, you can see that major difference on your output vs mine is that your DAC2 is in USB 1.0 mode: [color=#333333]front:CARD=B10,DEV=0[/color] [color=#333333]Benchmark DAC2 [/color]USB[color=#333333] Audio 1.0, [/color]USB[color=#333333] Audio[/color] [color=#333333]Front speakers[/color] on my PC you can see this: [color=#333333]front:CARD=B20,DEV=0 [/color]Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio [color=#333333]Front speakers[/color] I never used USB 1.0 mode ... so - look at the manual so i don't mis-instruct you but it is as simple as pressing and holding USB button on remote for 5 seconds and it will switch to USB 2.0 mode ... you might not need even to reboot your PC after that but do that to make it simpler. see then. as for 'speaker-test' command ... once you got it in USB 2.0 mode just copy/paste command ... then see if it works Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Thanks very much. Results here, now in USB 2.0! efault Playback/recording through the PulseAudio sound server null Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture) pulse PulseAudio Sound Server hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=0 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=1 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=2 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 HDMI Audio Output dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0 Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1 Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Hardware device with all software conversions sysdefault:CARD=PCH HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Default Audio Device front:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Front speakers surround40:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers iec958:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output dmix:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct sample snooping device dsnoop:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Analog Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=PCH,DEV=1 HDA Intel PCH, ALC892 Digital Hardware device with all software conversions sysdefault:CARD=B20 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Default Audio Device front:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Front speakers surround40:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers iec958:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output dmix:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct sample mixing device dsnoop:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct sample snooping device hw:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=B20,DEV=0 Benchmark DAC2 USB Audio 2.0, USB Audio Hardware device with all software conversions speaker-test 1.0.27.2 Playback device is default:CARD=B20 Stream parameters are 48000Hz, S16_LE, 1 channels Using 16 octaves of pink noise ALSA lib conf.c:4694:(snd_config_expand) Unknown parameters CARD=B20 ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM default:CARD=B20 Playback open error: -22,Invalid argument Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Here is my alsamixer screen grab http://s17.postimg.org/6vt6d9m6n/Screenshot_from_2015_10_22_21_07_26.png Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
Sal1950 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Do you know how to disable Pulse Audio on your distro? Pulse is well known to cause all types of issues including controling sample speed output. "The gullibility of audiophiles is what astonishes me the most, even after all these years. How is it possible, how did it ever happen, that they trust fairy-tale purveyors and mystic gurus more than reliable sources of scientific information?" Peter Aczel - The Audio Critic R.I.P. MQA 2014-2023: Hyped product thanks to uneducated, uncritical advocates & captured press. Link to comment
hifi25nl Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 In archlinux for example is something like this: In /etc/pulse/client.conf uncomment "autospawn" line and change it to "autospawn = no" but the best choice would be uninstalling pulseaudio... AudioLinux --> https://www.audio-linux.com developer of AudioLinux realtime OS Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Here is my alsamixer screen grab http://s17.postimg.org/6vt6d9m6n/Screenshot_from_2015_10_22_21_07_26.png according to your screen Benchmark is muted. in addition i have removed PulseAudio from my system as well ... never had any issues. google 'how to remove pulseaudio from debian' am sure there are tips for non technical folks as well. Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 25, 2015 Author Share Posted October 25, 2015 I unmuted both channels and it now works! THank you! Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
zenpmd Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 So the benchmark still randomly silences itself? Remains unmuted in alsamixer.But this never happens to the nuforce?!?! Benchmark HGC DAC2 / Ncore NC400 / Anthony Gallo Strada 2 / Anthony Gallo TR-3D Sub / Van Damme 6mm Speaker Cable Link to comment
gahabana Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 hi, uninstall pulseaudio. see how that goes. you dont need it anyhow (99% certain). Link to comment
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