m2tech hiface dac: Volume type software not working?

[Tim Curtis]

Just as an FYI, USB audio devices are entirely handled by Linux / ALSA. moOde is not involved in detecting or registering USB audio devices and their capabilities.

Once Linux and ALSA detect and register a USB audio device there still could be issues if the USB audio device provides incorrect or "unusual" device descriptor information. Some of these device characteristics are handled by the Linux Kernel USB audio quirks.c file. Device manufacturers typically provide quirks information to the Kernel maintainers for inclusion in the next release.

Most modern USB audio devices work perfectly fine in Linux but some older devices, devices that require custom drivers, or have broken or non-standard USB descriptors, etc will have issues or won't work at all.

Another area that can be problematic is when USB audio devices implement special features like I-O switching, alternate volume controls, etc. These are custom feature of the device and are not supported out-of-the-box in moOde WebUI.

[Falco]

Just as an FYI, USB audio devices are entirely handled by Linux / ALSA. moOde is not involved in detecting or registering USB audio devices and their capabilities.

Once Linux and ALSA detect and register a USB audio device there still could be issues if the USB audio device provides incorrect or "unusual" device descriptor information. Some of these device characteristics are handled by the Linux Kernel USB audio quirks.c file. Device manufacturers typically provide quirks information to the Kernel maintainers for inclusion in the next release.

Most modern USB audio devices work perfectly fine in Linux but some older devices, devices that require custom drivers, or have broken or non-standard USB descriptors, etc will have issues or won't work at all.

Another area that can be problematic is when USB audio devices implement special features like I-O switching, alternate volume controls, etc. These are custom feature of the device and are not supported out-of-the-box in moOde WebUI.

OK, that makes sense, maybe this dual output on the Loconaq E1 is not so standard indeed. At least I'm now aware where and how to adjust.

[TheOldPresbyope]

M2TECH claims their driver has been "available in mainline linux since v3.11 under sound/usb/hiface/"

Sure enough, in moOde 8.3.6 we find /usr/lib/modules/6.1.21-v8+/kernel/sound/usb/hiface

In addition to checking the physical connection, if you happen to be using a Pi4B then be sure to use one of the USB2.0 ports. In principle, a USB3.0 port will be backward compatible with a USB2.0 device, but in practice I've occasionally encountered issues with some USB2.0 gear. YMMV

Regards,
Kent

[Falco]

M2TECH claims their driver has been "available in mainline linux since v3.11 under sound/usb/hiface/"

Sure enough, in moOde 8.3.6 we find /usr/lib/modules/6.1.21-v8+/kernel/sound/usb/hiface

In addition to checking the physical connection, if you happen to be using a Pi4B then be sure to use one of the USB2.0 ports. In principle, a USB3.0 port will be backward compatible with a USB2.0 device, but in practice I've occasionally encountered issues with some USB2.0 gear. YMMV

Regards,
Kent

Ah thanks for checking!

In my office setup (the setup I'm talking about) I'm using a Pi3B+ still but there might be some issue with one of the ports I noticed, as it working as expected after connecting the dac to another port.

Addition: I actually will check in our living room setup as I have a RPi4B there connected to a Peachtree Audio amplifier (which has an USB input), but unsure to which usb port I connected....