Trouble with Logitech Z906 Sound
System: openSUSE Leap 15.4; KDE Plasma 5.26.4; KDE Frameworks 5.100.0; Qt 5.15.7; Kernel 5.14.21-150400.24.33-default (64-bit); Graphics X11 Motherboard Gigabyte Z490 VISION G with sound card inbuilt. Problem: Recently purchased a Logitech Z906 5.1 sound system, but I'm having various problems in connecting it properly to the inbuilt sound card which is identified in Yast as Comet Lake PCH cAVS. Some things work; some don't. The principal difficulty is that it won't connect using the Logitech-recommended three TRS "six-channel direct" connectors. When I try to use them as the source for input to the Z906, the System Settings audio module identifies the connection as digital SPDIF, which it isn't, and all I get is silence. I can't check the alternative digital optical or digital coaxial connectors because the motherboard inbuilt device doesn't have them. The only way I can connect successfully is by using a single stereo TRS plug from the motherboard unit's Line Out socket with a conversion cable to two RCA stereo plugs at the Z906 end. That produces 5.1 sound on the face of it, but won't be taking full advantage of the capabilities of the Z906. I say it works, but it does so only in that it produces sound from each of the 5.1 speakers, even though the Audio module in System Settings shows only the Front Left and Front Right units. So, obviously, something's not right. Is there a sound system guru somewhere who can help me establish a working connection in this system between the motherboard sound unit and the Z906 using Logitech's supplied six-channel direct connectors? -- Robin K Wellington "Harbour City" New Zealand
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 10:00:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote:
System:
openSUSE Leap 15.4; KDE Plasma 5.26.4; KDE Frameworks 5.100.0; Qt 5.15.7; Kernel 5.14.21-150400.24.33-default (64-bit); Graphics X11 Motherboard Gigabyte Z490 VISION G with sound card inbuilt. 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
Hi Robin, Gigabyte Z490 VISION G mainboard (Intel Z490 Chipset) From in-depth review (2019) https://latestintech.com/gigabyte-z490-vision-g-review/ "... five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output which are controlled by a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec." From https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z490-VISION-G-rev-1x#kf "ALC1220-VB Enhance 114dB(Rear)/110dB(Front) SNR in Microphone with High-End Audio Capacitors" There is very good kernel driver support for Realtek devices. Have you inspected the settings in PulseAudio Volume Control under the "Configuration" and "Output Devices" tabs? In my experience, PAVC is essential for taming audio issues like these on Linux. See also (derived from: "https://frdmtoplay.com/gigabyte-front-panel-audio-with-linux/): aplay -l (see info aplay) # **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices **** # (arecord, aplay - command-line sound recorder and player for ALSA soundcard driver) $ pacmd list-sinks (see also info pacmd) # **** pacmd - Reconfigure a PulseAudio sound server during runtime **** hth & regards, Carl
On 05/12/2022 12:13, Carl Hartung wrote:
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 10:00:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote:
System:
openSUSE Leap 15.4; KDE Plasma 5.26.4; KDE Frameworks 5.100.0; Qt 5.15.7; Kernel 5.14.21-150400.24.33-default (64-bit); Graphics X11 Motherboard Gigabyte Z490 VISION G with sound card inbuilt. 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
Hi Robin,
Gigabyte Z490 VISION G mainboard (Intel Z490 Chipset)
From in-depth review (2019) https://latestintech.com/gigabyte-z490-vision-g-review/
"... five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output which are controlled by a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec."
From https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z490-VISION-G-rev-1x#kf
Unfortunately in neither of those articles do the words match the included pictures of the back panel connectors of the Z490. The pictures show only the 3.5mm TRS jacks - no S/PDIF at all - which is what I have.
"ALC1220-VB Enhance 114dB(Rear)/110dB(Front) SNR in Microphone with High-End Audio Capacitors"
There is very good kernel driver support for Realtek devices.
Have you inspected the settings in PulseAudio Volume Control under the "Configuration" and "Output Devices" tabs?
Yes. Same as with the System Settings Audio module, there are a number of offerings, mostly analogue but including Digital Stereo (IE958) output. But if I select that, there's no sound. So I'm limited at the moment to the Analog Surround 5.1 output that plays through the Line Out jack and the two RCA connectors. A further oddity is that under the "Audio" settings module and the "Test" button, all five of the speakers show up but only the Front Left responds. Yet they all work when playing a track or other sound. Weird. The only thing I can add is that I also have an nVidia GeForce GPU aboard, which has its own HDMI sound chip. In previous (some time ago) editions of openSUSE I recall it was necessary to blacklist its driver ("snd_intel_hda"?), but that hasn't been the case in the last few Leaps. Anyway I can't find an OK way to do it in 15.4. To go back to the beginning - given that the system seems largely happy with the Line Out analogue connection, what I'm really hoping for is some means of getting Logitech's three-wire "six-channel direct" connection to work as it's supposed to do. In my experience, PAVC is essential for taming audio issues like these
on Linux.
See also (derived from: "https://frdmtoplay.com/gigabyte-front-panel-audio-with-linux/):
aplay -l (see info aplay)
Reports card 0 sub 0/1 Analog and 1/1 Digital and, under card 1, six HDMI entries associated with the nVidia card.
# **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices **** # (arecord, aplay - command-line sound recorder and player for ALSA soundcard driver)
$ pacmd list-sinks (see also info pacmd) # **** pacmd - Reconfigure a PulseAudio sound server during runtime ****
This yields a bunch of information that I have to confess I simply don't understand .... but thanks for trying -- Robin K Wellington "Harbour City" New Zealand
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 15:26:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote: 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
This yields a bunch of information that I have to confess I simply don't understand .... but thanks for trying
I'd say the first phase in troubleshooting this to establish that you are connecting a) the correct computer audio outputs to b) the correct Z906 inputs https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/7/z906-1.jpg using c) the correct "Six-channel direct cable"
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 15:26:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote: 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
This yields a bunch of information that I have to confess I simply don't understand .... but thanks for trying
Well, that's embarrassing! :) My daily workhorse text editor keyboard shortcuts do *not* function the same way in Claws Mail. Pardon my earlier, inadvertently truncated, reply. Continuing... I'd say the first phase in troubleshooting this to establish that you are connecting a) the correct computer audio outputs -> can you find and share a link to a photo? to b) the correct Z906 inputs https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/7/z906-1.jpg using c) the correct "Six-channel direct cable" https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/kUMAAOSwmdVa2ycV/$_10.JPG *and* that you are "Press(ing) the Input button on the front of your Z906 Control Console to cycle through the selections and choose Input 1 (6-channel direct)" This is just to establish that all the hardware is correctly connected and the input setting at the Z906 is correct. Thx! Carl
On 05/12/2022 16:26, Carl Hartung wrote:
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 15:26:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote: 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
This yields a bunch of information that I have to confess I simply don't understand .... but thanks for trying
Well, that's embarrassing! :) My daily workhorse text editor keyboard shortcuts do *not* function the same way in Claws Mail. Pardon my earlier, inadvertently truncated, reply.
Continuing...
I'd say the first phase in troubleshooting this to establish that you are connecting
a) the correct computer audio outputs
-> can you find and share a link to a photo?
Photo's a bit difficult due positioning, but the connections are: Z490 back panel, left to right, the plugs are Green, Black, Orange. Z906 inputs, top to bottom, the plugs are Green, Orange, Black. All plugs are pushed fully home.
to
b) the correct Z906 inputs
https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/7/z906-1.jpg
using
c) the correct "Six-channel direct cable"
The cable is the one by Logitech that came in the box.
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/kUMAAOSwmdVa2ycV/$_10.JPG
*and* that you are "Press(ing) the Input button on the front of your Z906 Control Console to cycle through the selections and choose Input 1 (6-channel direct)"
Yes. Multiple times! No noise.
This is just to establish that all the hardware is correctly connected and the input setting at the Z906 is correct.
Thx!
Carl
-- Robin K Wellington "Harbour City" New Zealand
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 17:14:58 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote:
On 05/12/2022 16:26, Carl Hartung wrote:
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 15:26:20 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote: 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
This yields a bunch of information that I have to confess I simply don't understand .... but thanks for trying
Well, that's embarrassing! :) My daily workhorse text editor keyboard shortcuts do *not* function the same way in Claws Mail. Pardon my earlier, inadvertently truncated, reply.
Continuing...
I'd say the first phase in troubleshooting this to establish that you are connecting
a) the correct computer audio outputs
-> can you find and share a link to a photo?
Photo's a bit difficult due positioning, but the connections are:
Z490 back panel, left to right, the plugs are Green, Black, Orange.
Z906 inputs, top to bottom, the plugs are Green, Orange, Black.
All plugs are pushed fully home.
to
b) the correct Z906 inputs
https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/7/z906-1.jpg
using
c) the correct "Six-channel direct cable"
The cable is the one by Logitech that came in the box.
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/kUMAAOSwmdVa2ycV/$_10.JPG
*and* that you are "Press(ing) the Input button on the front of your Z906 Control Console to cycle through the selections and choose Input 1 (6-channel direct)"
Yes. Multiple times! No noise.
This is just to establish that all the hardware is correctly connected and the input setting at the Z906 is correct.
Thx!
Carl
Thanks, Robin! I know you wrote that your computer's connectors do *not* match these https://static.gigabyte.com/StaticFile/Image/Global/a635d98310b1c035ffbfcb3a... which is from the product page for the Z490 "rev. 1.x" VISION board: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z490-VISION-G-rev-1x#kf Note in this image the outputs are: Gray = "SIDE" speakers Black = "REAR" speakers Orange = C/SUB (Center / Sub) speakers Green = Auxiliary audio output Blue = Auxiliary audio input It would be extremely helpful to have the exact model and serial numbers of the mainboard we're troubleshooting. :) Thx! Carl
On 05/12/2022 17:53, Carl Hartung wrote: <snipped>
Thanks, Robin!
I know you wrote that your computer's connectors do *not* match these
https://static.gigabyte.com/StaticFile/Image/Global/a635d98310b1c035ffbfcb3a...
which is from the product page for the Z490 "rev. 1.x" VISION board:
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z490-VISION-G-rev-1x#kf
Note in this image the outputs are:
Gray = "SIDE" speakers Black = "REAR" speakers Orange = C/SUB (Center / Sub) speakers
Green = Auxiliary audio output Blue = Auxiliary audio input
It would be extremely helpful to have the exact model and serial numbers of the mainboard we're troubleshooting. :)
If push comes to shove I could open up the case and look for the model and numbers, but unless essential I'd rather not. I have looked again at the markings on the rear panel, however; and I can confirm that they are the same as in your sample. That is, the leftmost socket is labelled "SIDE", the middle one is labelled "REAR" and the rightmost is labelled C/SUB. The colours are a bit hard to read but, to be clear, I have the Green plug in the Side socket, the Black plug in the Rear socket and the Orange (or Yellow) plug in C/Sub. Cheers -- Robin K Wellington "Harbour City" New Zealand
On Mon, 5 Dec 2022 20:15:36 +1300 Robin Klitscher wrote: 8< - - - - - snipped - - - - - >8
If push comes to shove I could open up the case and look for the model and numbers, but unless essential I'd rather not.
I have looked again at the markings on the rear panel, however; and I can confirm that they are the same as in your sample. That is, the leftmost socket is labelled "SIDE", the middle one is labelled "REAR" and the rightmost is labelled C/SUB. The colours are a bit hard to read but, to be clear, I have the Green plug in the Side socket, the Black plug in the Rear socket and the Orange (or Yellow) plug in C/Sub.
Hi Robin, Pardon the redundancy, but this is the standard method that I follow while troubleshooting these kinds of problems. :) Based upon your earlier comments and the following resources ... Control Console photo: https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/8/z906-1.jpg -> Note: "Aux jack located below Headphone jack" (red line at right) Rear photo shows all connections at sub-woofer: https://secure.logitech.com/assets/36048/7/z906-1.jpg Logitech support article "Connecting a computer to the Z906" https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023401833 ... your only options appear to be "Analog connections", which are 1) 6-channel direct 2) 4-channel or 2-channel analog The 6-channel direct connection is comprised of three stereo (3.5mm three pole) plugs at each end of the cable bundle. Each three conductor cable carries amplified outputs for the corresponding (side, rear, c/sub) left and right channels with the third conductors acting as shared returns (a.k.a. "ground") for each output pair. The analog output sockets in the back of your computer are Gray + Black + Orange The input sockets in the Z906 sub-woofer are Green + Black + Orange So, the "Gray" socket at the computer end maps to the "Green" socket at the back of the sub-woofer. The other two sockets used at each end are Black + Orange. If the above mapping is in place and you've selected "Input 1" (6-channel direct) at the Control Console, your configuration and setup at the Logitech end (IMHO) is complete. In your original post, you wrote that YaST detected your sound card as a "Comet Lake PCH cAVS" and that "Some things work; some don't." Please run the following command in a terminal and post (or e-mail*) the "System:" "Machine:" and "Audio:" sections (verbatim, please, not edited / summarized) $ inxi -F * If you don't feel comfortable sharing this data publicly, please send the output to me directly so I can review it. Please also run again the following command and post (or e-mail*) the results (verbatim, please, not edited / summarized) $ pacmd list-sinks * If you don't feel comfortable sharing this data publicly, please send the output to me directly so I can review it. Please also run again the following command and post (or e-mail*) the results (verbatim, please, not edited / summarized) $ aplay -l Finally, the last line of output from the following lengthy command string will contain a URL pointing to your sound configuration. Again, if you don't wish to share this data publicly, please send the link to me directly so I can review it (also please mind the line wrap! This is all on one line.) $ curl https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pulseaudio/pulseaudio/raw/master/src/utils/pa... | bash | nc termbin.com 9999 Thanks again! :) Carl
participants (2)
-
Carl Hartung -
Robin Klitscher