Can anyone recommend an external USB sound card with S/PDIF which is fully supported on EndeavourOS?
I changed my gaming rig over to EndeavourOS from Windows a few months back - it’s been absolutely brilliant, with the one exception that the SoundBlaster Omni USB sound card is detected, but only works in 2-channel analog, no matter what I try and configure. S/PDIF doesn’t work at all, and seems to be incorrectly detected. I never had an issue with the device on Windows or Mac.
I’d be OK to look at purchasing a new device, but I do need it to be external and support S/PDIF. So a recommendation would be gratefully appreciated.
I’m not aware of the specific use cases you’ve got in mind.
But as the SoundBlaster Omni USB is essentially a DAC, why not look into driver less DACs in general ?
Eventually the Modi Plus or the Fulla from Shiit Audio.
But both only have optical inputs, according to their datasheets. Do you need optical output ?
If so, a simple DAC like the D10s from Topping should be quite affordable.
My particular use case is that I have a Dell U4919DW which has an inbuilt KVM. I’ve been using it to switch between a Mac (for work) and the gaming PC. The SB Omni is plugged in to the monitor and from there to a Logitech Z906 5.1 system (via optical output) so that every system connected to the monitor KVM uses the same audio configuration. Until I replaced Windows with EndeavourOS, it’s been working exactly as intended.
A driver-less DAC sounds like a good idea, but from the product page, the D10S does require device drivers.
Have you already found a solution which would work for you ?
By coincidence I’ve pulled the trigger on a Dell Ultrawide monitor with integrated KVM switch as well and therefore it would be nice to have the option to switch between the audio sources as well.
But I may end up with a DAC & amplifier combo to replace the old power amplifier which I am currently using. To use that amplifier strictly for my turntable and the oversized pair of speakers I’ve got. And to drive a spare pair of bookshelf sized speakers for the daily use at the PC. A DAC & amplifier combo with phono-in would be prohibitively expensive as it seems like.
I have a compromise solution. I couldn’t get the SB Omni working through the monitor KVM using digital audio no matter what, and I never managed to get the 5.1 analogue audio working on all channels.
The gaming system has an onboard sound card with digital audio, so I bought a new cable and plugged that straight into the speaker system. Had to do some tinkering with the Pipewire settings, but I do at least now have it working properly across all 5.1 channels. The SB Omni is still plugged in to the monitor, and other systems are able to use it (I just switch inputs on the speakers) and at some point I’m thinking about getting a digital audio switcher.
The issue I now have is that I’m getting an intermittent popping/echo/delay on the audio playback when in-game. Currently replaying Wolfenstein: The New Order and when there’s a lot of background noise (e.g. gunfire and music) then the distortion is quite noticeable. Not 100% sure what I can do about it - there’s an argument for ditching Pipewire and going back to PulseAudio to see whether the problems are still there.
Well, you’ve found a workaround without the need to invest into new hardware.
And I, on the other hand, wasted a lot of time reading audiophile reviews on DACs and (IC based) amplifiers.
Pulled the trigger on an used SMSL SU-1 DAC to enhance my the sound quality. As it is a XMOS based device, it should be plug and play with the current linux kernel. But it won’t fit your use case, as it doesn’t has a S/PDIF ouput. Seems like there aren’t any decent amps available which would include a high quality DAC and won’t break the bank.
Thus I’ll go the tinkering route and try to automate the power cycle on my old power amplifier via an arduino and the proprietary RC5 protocol, as I found some articles on hackaday as well as some github repos which provide a code base for that route. Will just need to find my spare arduino which should be hidden somewhere in my project bins. And modify a cable for this specific purpose. Which would be the annoying part. All in the sake of achieve some power savings, due to my bad habit of forgetting to put my amplifier into standby when I’m not using it at all.
Out of interest, I did end up getting Pipewire to output digital audio quite reliably now. Just needed to tweak the config (and find the right settings to tweak). I played a lot of the new Wolfenstein games over the weekend, and the sound had no issue for the entire time.
So…while it would still be great to plug a DAC into the monitor so all systems can share it like I used to have, this is still acceptable.
Good luck with your setup - it sounds quite impressive
May sound quite impressive. But it’s budget oriented. I’m still a cheapskate That SMSL SU-1 DAC would be considered to be entry level, a good bang for the buck. And will modernize my outdated setup here a little. Went the route of buying vintage gear which had an above average reputation when it has been produced. Sounds quite good to my ears, but comes with the downsides of being not fully up to date in terms of features. And being inefficient in terms of energy consumed.
“Only” stereo. And the center piece is my refurbished & modernized record player. Speakers: a bit beaten up optically, made in the early 80s. The power amplifier with phono stage … early 2000s. I won’t impress any audiophile with that kind of gear but totally sufficient for my uses, except the issues which I’m trying to address.
Isn’t a good fit for my requirements as a DAC. I don’t need a combination DAC with tone controls and a headphone preamp, as I’m not using wired headphones at all. And as jamesb would require a S/PDIF output, won’t be suitable for him as well.
Anyway, the SMSL SU-1 should arrive here within the next week. It’s just a DAC which, in accordance to the reviews which I’ve read, shouldn’t alter the sound - being neutral for the most part. As I will rely on the tone controls of my amplifier. That one will still have to drive those huge speakers with bass drivers 10 1/4" in diameter. Which the amplifiers from Fosi Audio may struggle with. Unless using monoblocks. Which would be at least an $300 investment I’m currently not willing to invest.
That SMSL SU-1 DAC would be considered to be entry level, a good bang for the buck. And will modernize my outdated setup here a little. Went the route of buying vintage gear which had an above average reputation when it has been produced. Sounds quite good to my ears, but comes with the downsides of being not fully up to date in terms of features. And being inefficient in terms of energy consumed.