PF21's 2nd Build - Pi3/Kedei/Analogs/Power+/CG-PCB

[Marty33]

Hello.

Very nice job.

Model of the Samsung Stereo Laptop Speakers ? (@VeteranGamer you use the same ?)

Big thanks

[PF21]

Hello.

Very nice job.

Model of the Samsung Stereo Laptop Speakers ? (@VeteranGamer you use the same ?)

Big thanks

NP-RV515L yea they are the same he used, see his 3rd build in his signature or community spotlight.

[Marty33]

Ok. I look that for my build

You have good sound for you too ?

[PF21]

Sound is very good. However, right now my amp is way too powerful and will blow the speakers if turn up too loud. Without the amp, it is too quiet. I'm working on a solution but alsamixer isn't working so I cannot simply limit the system volume.

Also, there is a bit of noise on boot that seems related to the processor loading up. It goes away once I reach the splash screen. I do not believe I would hear this if I lowered the power to the speaker.

For anyone who wants to assist with my alsamixer issue, here is what I know. With a fresh image, on first boot, alsamixer settings in ES show up and work fine. After the first shutdown, the settings all seem to grey out and there is no more sound in ES. I can change the settings, but they reset when I close and reopen the settings screen. When I exit to console, I am prompted with a "no I2C chip found" and "RetroPie lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements". I am researching the errors atm but not really getting anywhere, yet. If I launch "alsamixer" from console, I can turn up the system volume and get sound back, but still no ES sound menu settings working. Frustrating set of issue, but I'm determined to resolve them.

This GBPi3 is gonna be awesome if I can resolve the issues.

edit: I decided to try the headphones out. Very nice sound and volume from them.

edit2: added a couple of resistors to each speaker channel and volume is just right now.

[VeteranGamer]

Sound is very good. However, right now my amp is way too powerful and will blow the speakers if turn up too loud. Without the amp, it is too quiet. I'm working on a solution but alsamixer isn't working so I cannot simply limit the system volume.

Also, there is a bit of noise on boot that seems related to the processor loading up. It goes away once I reach the splash screen. I do not believe I would hear this if I lowered the power to the speaker.

For anyone who wants to assist with my alsamixer issue, here is what I know. With a fresh image, on first boot, alsamixer settings in ES show up and work fine. After the first shutdown, the settings all seem to grey out and there is no more sound in ES. I can change the settings, but they reset when I close and reopen the settings screen. When I exit to console, I am prompted with a "no I2C chip found" and "RetroPie lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements". I am researching the errors atm but not really getting anywhere, yet. If I launch "alsamixer" from console, I can turn up the system volume and get sound back, but still no ES sound menu settings working. Frustrating set of issue, but I'm determined to resolve them.

This GBPi3 is gonna be awesome if I can resolve the issues.

edit: I decided to try the headphones out. Very nice sound and volume from them.

edit2: added a couple of resistors to each speaker channel and volume is just right now.

i wouldnt worry about the speakers popping, the amp isnt that powerful to pop the speakers
(their 4ohm 1.5W speakers and should be able to handle the power of the amp, i've had them turned up without issues)

also what have you got the audio set too....
have you set it to HDMI?
having it set to the wrong output will cause the volume setting to revert back

can you post some image of your settings...

.

[PF21]

i wouldnt worry about the speakers popping, the amp isnt that powerful to pop the speakers
(their 4ohm 1.5W speakers and should be able to handle the power of the amp, i've had them turned up without issues)

also what have you got the audio set too....
have you set it to HDMI?
having it set to the wrong output will cause the volume setting to revert back

can you post some image of your settings...

.

I agree that the amp shouldn't be too much but the speakers began to sound overpowered and terrible after the first 1/16th of a turn of the volume wheel, rendering it useless. So if nothing else, the additional resistors made my wheel usable again.

I have tried setting sound to only HDMI , as well as every other option, with no luck. In the pics, u can see the mismatch between the GUI and console system volumes. Only the console setting will save and stay put.

SpoilerShow

MVIMG_20180223_062812.jpg (4.44 MiB) Viewed 6764 times

MVIMG_20180223_062427.jpg (3.31 MiB) Viewed 6764 times

MVIMG_20180223_062605.jpg (2.7 MiB) Viewed 6764 times

[VeteranGamer]

I agree that the amp shouldn't be too much but the speakers began to sound overpowered and terrible after the first 1/16th of a turn of the volume wheel, rendering it useless. So if nothing else, the additional resistors made my wheel usable again.

I have tried setting sound to only HDMI , as well as every other option, with no luck. In the pics, u can see the mismatch between the GUI and console system volumes. Only the console setting will save and stay put.

SpoilerShow

MVIMG_20180223_062812.jpgMVIMG_20180223_062427.jpgMVIMG_20180223_062605.jpg

the volume wheel may be a dud (faulty), it shouldnt do that....

also try changing the Audio Device from Master to either PCM or Speaker....




.

[PF21]

the volume wheel may be a dud (faulty), it shouldnt do that....

also try changing the Audio Device from Master to either PCM or Speaker....
.

I have tried, no affect. It is odd that everything works after first boot from a fresh image and then first reboot causes the problem. Wish I could figure out what is happening there.

[VeteranGamer]

You might have to start over with a fresh image of Retropie....

.

[PF21]

You might have to start over with a fresh image of Retropie....

.

I did that's when I realized the settings actually do work on the first boot. I didn't change anything, just rebooted once and the settings stop working. It's weird, ik, and there r other ppl with similar issues on other forums but not many solutions( none that have worked for me). Def seems to be an alsamixer software issue, and it may even be specific to the newest retropie image. I have another pi3 and will be able to dig deep into troubleshooting this weekend.