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DAC and Pi B - 'failed to open audio output' and other errors

Conor Davies

March 22, 2017 00:05

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Hi,

just installed ny new HiFiBerry DAC card on my Pi B but having no success with audio from it.

Sometimes I get 'failed to open audio output' error box.

Sometimes I can play a track (with volume) but there is no volume control (only 'software' or 'none' options - neither of which actually work).

If I 'Browse' it regularly cannot see my NAS and immediately goes into a reboot cycle.

Been trying for two hours solid to get this working.

If I select a different DAC card from the output options in Volumio e.g. the first in the list 503HTA Hybrid Tube Amp, I can play tracks just fine but still no volume control. But I imagine this isn't the best option for the HiFiBerry DAC card?

Any support gratefully received.

 

Nibbos (UK)

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7 comments

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team March 22, 2017 08:56

  Hi,

  if you're talking about the "old" DAC (without the "+", it is normal that there is no ALSA volume control. You have to select "software volume control" in the player application.

  Best regards,
  Daniel

• 0
  
  Conor Davies March 22, 2017 16:40

  Thanks, Daniel.

  However, when I now try to 'Browse' for music, my NAS has disapperaed and the Volumio/Pi re-boots itself automatically.

  In short, I cannot make the DAC work effectively.

  THe wifi dongle is flashing rapidly and no activity from the Pi, other than the red 'power' LED.

  After a minute or two it has restarted, but now when I play a track I get the same error - 'failed to open audio output' - and I'm back to square one.

  Any further thoughts, please?

  Thanks in advance.

  Nibbos

   

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team March 22, 2017 17:31

  Hi,
  
  this looks like a power supply problem or an defective Raspberry Pi. Try with another power supply.

  Best regards,
  Daniel

• 0
  
  Conor Davies March 22, 2017 20:56

  Is there a minimum recommenedd power needed to run a Pi B and HiFiBerry DAC card together, please?

   

  Thanks

   

  Nibbos

• 0
  
  Conor Davies March 22, 2017 21:25

  Just cahnged to 5.0V with 1.8A (up from 700mA).

  Same 'failed to open audio output' when trying HiFIBerry DAC from output menu - on first attempt.

  Switching to the 'wrong' DAC card, in this case the 503HTA Hybrid Tube Amp, gives proper audio playback, but no volume control.

  Switching to 'Software' control then stops any audio playing.

  A reboot then allows the HiFiBerry to play effectively again when selecting HiFiBerry DAC as output option.

  Shoud I be using 'Mixer Type - None' or 'Mixer Type - Software'?

  And if 'Software'. does that mean I need to install a thirs party piece of software on the Pi to allow volume control, or is it then controlled via some Volunio software that already exists?

  Selecting 'Software' in the past just disables everything, loses connection to music library (NAS) and causes Volumio to reboot into a non-functioning mode that returns the 'failed to open audio output' error.

  Is there any code or check I can run (I know how to use PUTTY to SSH into it) to provide some test output that could check that all is well with the Pi B and DAC card combo?

  Getting there, slowly...

  Thanks for your continued support with this.

  Nibbos

   

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team March 23, 2017 05:16

  Hi,

  this looks like a bug in Volumio. Both mixer type software and None should work. If they do not, you should contact the Volumio developers. They need to fix this.

  There is no simple code you can run on Volumio. You can install a plain Raspbian, configure it as documented here: https://support.hifiberry.com/hc/en-us/articles/205377651-Configuring-Linux-4-x-or-higher

  Then play a test tone as documented here:
  https://support.hifiberry.com/hc/en-us/articles/205322332-Playing-test-sounds

  Best regards,
  Daniel

• 0
  
  Conor Davies March 23, 2017 17:55

  Thanks, Daniel.

  I'll persevere and see what happens.

  I can stick a plain Raspbian on another SD card and follow the configuration as per your suggestion and take it from there.

  Regards

  Nibbos