Connecting a USB DAC to Linux *See show notes (click show...more)

Connecting a USB DAC to Linux

As you may know, there is no need to install additional drivers for your USB DAC in Linux...just plug and play. However, you will need to configure your software so that it will see your particular DAC.

One application needed is PulseAudio Volume Control, however, it is NOT pre-installed in all distros. You can always verify if you have it by going into the main menu under Sound and Video or do a application search.

If you need to install PulseAudio Volume Control, go into the main menu and access Synaptic Package Manager, or whatever Add/Remove program you use with your particular distro. You should be able to find it by just typing pulse or by the technical name pavucontrol.

Once it's installed, I recommend shutting down the computer and then connecting your USB DAC. Also make sure all connections are complete to your speakers or stereo and that it is turned ON with the appropriate input selected. Lastly, make sure your volume is on, but, not so low that you cannot hear it.

Now, you can turn on your computer and Linux SHOULD see your DAC in PulseAudio Volume Control You still need to make sure certain settings are enabled within PulseAudio Volume Control, but, also with your particular software media players. In fact, you will need to be playing media while you make final changes in PulseAudio Volume Control...WATCH video and cheers!

Digital Volume Controls

Digital volume controls usually operate by bit-reduction which can affect the sound. For that reason it's best to leave the computer volume at 100% and control your volume level from your amplifier which is analog in most cases. If your amp has a digital volume control then it will likely depend on the quality of the digital volume control.

Bit-Perfect Audio Playback

Bit-perfect is a phrase commonly used in the audio world. When used to describe a media player, it means the player can output an exact copy of a file without making any changes.

Bit Perfect Audio from Linux

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel

Audioquest Dragonfly DAC's

[trevorkokotylo]

Thanks for this dude! Got my Topping DX7 Pro working at full capacity on openSUSE.

[sYnDaEx]

Thanks for this. Thinking about getting the Fiio M15 that you can use as a USB DAC. So needed to do some research.

[LinuxQuest]

Hello Tom, really good sound and great voice! Also thanks for the informative video.

[pberv]

Hello, thanks for your input in this important matter of using an external dac above any other. Perhaps you can help me reaching this goal. I have a Qnap Nas TS251b, where I use the Ubuntu 20.0 with Foobar2000. The Qnap is connected through HDMI with TV and with USB DAC towards my streamer Oppo 105D. I use my laptop to access the Ubuntu software. I did what you achieved, installed pavucontrol, rebooted system, connected the USB. Still the pavucontrol does not show my USB output device. Only Analog Output (no choice there) and HDMI. Any ideas how i can achieve what you did, connect with the USB DAC (external, Oppo). I read somewhere no extra driver software is needed for Oppo/Linux. Thx for any support. My best greetings Patrick

[spinkey]

would there be any dacs that won't work with linux?

[federicovalmassoni]

What's your Distro/desktop environment?