Onboard Audio Volume Extremely Low on Fedora 43 (Realtek ALC887-VD)

[captain-jack]

Good evening Fedora community,

I’m experiencing very low onboard audio output levels on Fedora 43 Workstation with an ASUS Prime B350M-A motherboard using the Realtek ALC887-VD codec. Compared to Windows, the volume is dramatically quieter — I need around 30–40% in GNOME to match what would be ~20% on Windows. I’ve already spent an inordinate amount of time using ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity for support; it’s evident I’m long past the threshold necessary for human assistance.

---

System Details

• Fedora Version: 43 Workstation (Wayland)
• Kernel: 6.17.6-300.fc43.x86_64
• Desktop: GNOME 49.1
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX Vega
• Audio Codec: Realtek ALC887-VD
• Driver: snd_hda_intel

---

Troubleshooting Done So Far

1. Device verification:

• lspci confirms onboard HDA Intel controller.
• Codecs detected: ATI R6xx HDMI, Realtek ALC887-VD.

2. Mixer settings:

• Checked amixer -c 2.
• Set Auto-Mute Mode to Disabled.
• All playback channels unmuted and at max.

3. Driver model options tested in /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf:
   options snd-hda-intel model=asus
   options snd-hda-intel model=asus-mobo
   options snd-hda-intel model=alc887-analog
   options snd-hda-intel model=alc887-6stack-dig
   options snd-hda-intel model=auto position_fix=1

Each one of these was followed by:
sudo dracut --force
sudo reboot

4. Tried hdajackretask (alsa-tools):

• Applied several suggested patches; results unchanged.

5. PipeWire inspection:

• Verified correct ALC887-VD analog sink/source nodes.
• No apparent signal loss or routing issues in pw-cli ls Node.

6. Kernel messages:

• Checked dmesg | grep -i hda; no firmware or codec errors reported.

7. Other notes:

• USB Blue Yeti mic connected but not active as playback device.
• All system volume sliders and pavucontrol levels set to 100%.

---

Miscellaneous information

/etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf output

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=auto position_fix=1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$

amixer -c 2 output

Simple mixer control ‘Master’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Limits: Playback 0 - 64
Mono: Playback 14 [22%] [-50.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control ‘Headphone’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 64
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control ‘PCM’,0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control ‘Front Mic’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 31
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control ‘Front Mic Boost’,0
Capabilities: volume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: 0 - 3
Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control ‘Line’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 31
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control ‘Line Boost’,0
Capabilities: volume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: 0 - 3
Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control ‘Line Out’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 64
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control ‘IEC958’,0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control ‘IEC958 Default PCM’,0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control ‘Capture’,0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 46
Front Left: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
Front Right: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control ‘Capture’,1
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 46
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control ‘Auto-Mute Mode’,0
Capabilities: enum
Items: ‘Disabled’ ‘Enabled’
Item0: ‘Enabled’
Simple mixer control ‘Input Source’,0
Capabilities: cenum
Items: ‘Rear Mic’ ‘Front Mic’ ‘Line’
Item0: ‘Front Mic’
Simple mixer control ‘Input Source’,1
Capabilities: cenum
Items: ‘Rear Mic’ ‘Front Mic’ ‘Line’
Item0: ‘Rear Mic’
Simple mixer control ‘Loopback Mixing’,0
Capabilities: enum
Items: ‘Disabled’ ‘Enabled’
Item0: ‘Disabled’
Simple mixer control ‘Rear Mic’,0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 31
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control ‘Rear Mic Boost’,0
Capabilities: volume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: 0 - 3
Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$

pw-cli ls Node output

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node
id 30, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “30”
factory.id = “11”
priority.driver = “200000”
node.name = “Dummy-Driver”
id 31, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “31”
factory.id = “11”
priority.driver = “190000”
node.name = “Freewheel-Driver”
id 40, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “999”
factory.id = “11”
client.id = “70”
priority.session = “100”
priority.driver = “1”
node.name = “Midi-Bridge”
media.class = “Midi/Bridge”
id 43, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1007”
object.path = “alsa:acp:HDMI:6:playback”
factory.id = “19”
client.id = “70”
device.id = “61”
priority.session = “696”
priority.driver = “696”
node.description = “Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64] Digital Stereo (HDMI)”
node.name = “alsa_output.pci-0000_0a_00.1.hdmi-stereo”
node.nick = “LG FHD”
media.class = “Audio/Sink”
id 50, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1005”
object.path = “alsa:acp:Generic:5:playback”
factory.id = “19”
client.id = “70”
device.id = “42”
priority.session = “1009”
priority.driver = “1009”
node.description = “Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller Analog Stereo”
node.name = “alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.3.analog-stereo”
node.nick = “ALC887-VD Analog”
media.class = “Audio/Sink”
id 52, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1006”
object.path = “alsa:acp:Generic:0:capture”
factory.id = “19”
client.id = “70”
device.id = “42”
priority.session = “2009”
priority.driver = “2009”
node.description = “Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller Analog Stereo”
node.name = “alsa_input.pci-0000_0c_00.3.analog-stereo”
node.nick = “ALC887-VD Analog”
media.class = “Audio/Source”
id 54, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1009”
object.path = “alsa:acp:Device:0:capture”
factory.id = “19”
client.id = “70”
device.id = “64”
priority.session = “2109”
priority.driver = “2109”
node.description = “USB Advanced Audio Device Analog Stereo”
node.name = “alsa_input.usb-C-Media_Electronics_Inc._USB_Advanced_Audio_Device-00.analog-stereo”
node.nick = “USB Advanced Audio Device”
media.class = “Audio/Source”
id 59, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1002”
factory.id = “14”
client.id = “70”
node.description = “BLE MIDI 1”
node.name = “bluez_midi.server”
media.class = “Midi/Bridge”
id 69, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
object.serial = “1008”
object.path = “alsa:acp:Device:4:playback”
factory.id = “19”
client.id = “70”
device.id = “64”
priority.session = “1109”
priority.driver = “1109”
node.description = “USB Advanced Audio Device Analog Stereo”
node.name = “alsa_output.usb-C-Media_Electronics_Inc._USB_Advanced_Audio_Device-00.analog-stereo”
node.nick = “USB Advanced Audio Device”
media.class = “Audio/Sink”
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$

dmesg | grep -i hda output

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i hda
[sudo] password for captain-jack:
[ 16.129898] audit: type=1400 audit(1762566365.815:4): avc: denied { open } for pid=658 comm=“systemd-modules” path=“/etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf” dev=“sdc3” ino=286077 scontext=system_u:system_r:systemd_modules_load_t:s0 tcontext=unconfined_u:object_r:user_tmp_t:s0 tclass=file permissive=0
[ 29.938198] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: Force to non-snoop mode
[ 29.938299] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: Applying patch firmware ‘hda-jack-retask.fw’
[ 29.938523] snd_hda_intel 0000:0c:00.3: Applying patch firmware ‘hda-jack-retask.fw’
[ 30.200019] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: bound 0000:0a:00.0 (ops amdgpu_dm_audio_component_bind_ops [amdgpu])
[ 30.203951] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=3 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input11
[ 30.204351] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=7 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input12
[ 30.204677] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=8 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input13
[ 30.204919] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=9 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input14
[ 30.205102] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=10 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input15
[ 30.205377] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=11 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card1/input16
[ 30.227079] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: autoconfig for ALC887-VD: line_outs=1 (0x1b/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0) type:line
[ 30.227097] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[ 30.227108] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hp_outs=1 (0x14/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[ 30.227118] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: mono: mono_out=0x0
[ 30.227126] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: dig-out=0x11/0x0
[ 30.227134] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: inputs:
[ 30.227142] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Rear Mic=0x18
[ 30.227150] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Front Mic=0x19
[ 30.227158] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Line=0x1a
[ 2838.776498] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hda-codec: reconfiguring
[ 2838.776504] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: The codec is being used, can’t reconfigure.
[ 2939.272520] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hda-codec: reconfiguring
[ 2939.272526] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: The codec is being used, can’t reconfigure.
[ 3165.808571] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hda-codec: reconfiguring
[ 3165.875436] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: autoconfig for ALC887-VD: line_outs=1 (0x1b/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0) type:line
[ 3165.875446] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[ 3165.875451] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hp_outs=1 (0x14/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[ 3165.875455] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: mono: mono_out=0x0
[ 3165.875458] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: dig-out=0x11/0x0
[ 3165.875461] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: inputs:
[ 3165.875466] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Rear Mic=0x18
[ 3165.875470] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Front Mic=0x19
[ 3165.875473] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: Line=0x1a
[ 4021.904753] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: hda-codec: reconfiguring
[ 4021.904760] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC2D0: The codec is being used, can’t reconfigure.
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$

sudo alsa-info.sh --upload paste as below
http://alsa-project.org/db/?f=787160d4a3832d657d508b853fce7b80fb351b7f

[theprogram (MatH)]

In pavucontrol or alsamixer what is the volume set to?

[captain-jack]

Apologies for the protracted response time. Alsamixer yields nothing useful; I only have the one audio device showing up, and that’s my on-board sound from ASUS. Same problem is persisting: absurdly low volume unless I crank it up to ~25%

If it helps, I’ve also kept a record of my terminal output when I was troubleshooting using ChatGPT last week.

STEP 1
-------

0a:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]
0c:00.3 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ lspci | grep audio
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ lspci | grep -i audio
0a:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]
0c:00.3 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

Step 2
-------

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo lspci -v | grep -A20 -i audio
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
0a:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]
	Subsystem: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 76, IOMMU group 16
	Memory at fcda0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
	Capabilities: [48] Vendor Specific Information: Len=08 <?>
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [64] Express Endpoint, IntMsgNum 0
	Capabilities: [a0] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [100] Vendor Specific Information: ID=0001 Rev=1 Len=010 <?>
	Capabilities: [150] Advanced Error Reporting
	Capabilities: [2a0] Access Control Services
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
	Kernel modules: snd_hda_intel

0b:00.0 Non-Essential Instrumentation [1300]: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Zeppelin/Raven/Raven2 PCIe Dummy Function
	Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8747
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IOMMU group 17
	Capabilities: [48] Vendor Specific Information: Len=08 <?>
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [64] Express Endpoint, IntMsgNum 0
	Capabilities: [100] Vendor Specific Information: ID=0001 Rev=1 Len=010 <?>
	Capabilities: [150] Advanced Error Reporting
--
0c:00.3 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller
	Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 86c7
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 77, IOMMU group 22
	Memory at fcf00000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=32K]
	Capabilities: [48] Vendor Specific Information: Len=08 <?>
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [64] Express Endpoint, IntMsgNum 0
	Capabilities: [a0] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [100] Vendor Specific Information: ID=0001 Rev=1 Len=010 <?>
	Capabilities: [150] Advanced Error Reporting
	Capabilities: [2a0] Access Control Services
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
	Kernel modules: snd_hda_intel

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

Step 3
-------

Forgot to mention: Device 0 is my Blue Yeti connected via USB. I *do not* have any audio output connected to it at the moment. I'm using the onboard sound on my mobo

 0 [Device         ]: USB-Audio - USB Advanced Audio Device
                      C-Media Electronics Inc. USB Advanced Audio Device at usb-0000:03:00.0-2, full 
 1 [HDMI           ]: HDA-Intel - HDA ATI HDMI
                      HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcda0000 irq 76
 2 [Generic        ]: HDA-Intel - HD-Audio Generic
                      HD-Audio Generic at 0xfcf00000 irq 77
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

Step 4
-------

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo cat /proc/asound/card*/codec* | grep "Codec"
Codec: ATI R6xx HDMI
Codec: Realtek ALC887-VD
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

Step 5
------

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2
Simple mixer control 'Master',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono: Playback 28 [44%] [-36.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Headphone',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-64.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-64.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
  Capabilities: pvolume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 255
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 252 [99%] [-0.60dB]
  Front Right: Playback 252 [99%] [-0.60dB]
Simple mixer control 'Front',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Front Mic',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Front Mic Boost',0
  Capabilities: volume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: 0 - 3
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Surround',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Center',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'LFE',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Line',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Line Boost',0
  Capabilities: volume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: 0 - 3
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Default PCM',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',0
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 46
  Front Left: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',1
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 46
  Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Auto-Mute Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Disabled' 'Enabled'
  Item0: 'Enabled'
Simple mixer control 'Channel Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: '2ch' '4ch' '6ch'
  Item0: '2ch'
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',0
  Capabilities: cenum
  Items: 'Rear Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Line'
  Item0: 'Front Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',1
  Capabilities: cenum
  Items: 'Rear Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Line'
  Item0: 'Rear Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Loopback Mixing',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Disabled' 'Enabled'
  Item0: 'Disabled'
Simple mixer control 'Rear Mic',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Rear Mic Boost',0
  Capabilities: volume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: 0 - 3
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo cat /proc/asound/card*/codec* | grep "Codec"
Codec: ATI R6xx HDMI
Codec: Realtek ALC887-VD
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 set 'Auto-Mute Mode' Disabled
Simple mixer control 'Auto-Mute Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Disabled' 'Enabled'
  Item0: 'Disabled'
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ls /etc/modprobe.d
appletalk-blacklist.conf   floppy-blacklist.conf        l2tp_ppp-blacklist.conf  rds-blacklist.conf
ax25-blacklist.conf        kvm.conf                     lockd.conf               rose-blacklist.conf
batman-adv-blacklist.conf  l2tp_eth-blacklist.conf      netrom-blacklist.conf    tuned.conf
firewalld-sysctls.conf     l2tp_netlink-blacklist.conf  nvdimm-security.conf     vhost.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=asus
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node | grep -A2 ALC887
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
	id 56, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
--
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Source"
	id 80, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo grep -E 'Codec|Pin Default|Node 0x.*Pin Complex' /proc/asound/card2/codec#2
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
grep: /proc/asound/card2/codec#2: No such file or directory
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo grep -E 'Codec|Pin Default|Node 0x.*Pin Complex' /proc/asound/card2/codec#0
grep: /proc/asound/card2/codec#0: No such file or directory
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo grep -E 'Codec|Pin Default|Node 0x.*Pin Complex' /proc/asound/card2/codec
grep: /proc/asound/card2/codec: No such file or directory
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ls -l /proc/asound/
total 0
dr-xr-xr-x. 16 root root 0 Nov  7 19:35 card0
dr-xr-xr-x.  8 root root 0 Nov  7 19:35 card1
dr-xr-xr-x.  9 root root 0 Nov  7 19:35 card2
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 cards
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root 5 Nov  7 19:41 Device -> card2
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 devices
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root 5 Nov  7 19:41 Generic -> card1
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root 5 Nov  7 19:41 HDMI -> card0
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 hwdep
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 modules
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 pcm
dr-xr-xr-x.  6 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 seq
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 timers
-r--r--r--.  1 root root 0 Nov  7 19:41 version
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=asus-mobo
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force && sudo reboot
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node | grep -A2 ALC887
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
	id 56, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
--
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Source"
	id 80, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 | grep -i "db"
  Front Left: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 | grep -i "db"
  Front Left: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=alc887-analog
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force && sudo reboot
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 | grep -i "db"
  Mono: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-64.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-64.00dB] [off]
  Front Left: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Mono: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Mono: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Left: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Capture 28 [61%] [12.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [-16.00dB] [off]
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-34.50dB] [off]
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node | grep -A2 ALC887
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
	id 56, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
--
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Source"
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=alc887-analog
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=alc887-6stack-dig
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force && sudo reboot
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node | grep -A2 ALC887
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
	id 56, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
--
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Source"
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 | grep -i "db"
  Front Left: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=auto position_fix=1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i hda
[   30.752922] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: Force to non-snoop mode
[   31.191345] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0: autoconfig for ALC887-VD: line_outs=1 (0x14/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0) type:line
[   31.191360] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[   31.191369] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    hp_outs=1 (0x1b/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[   31.191377] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    mono: mono_out=0x0
[   31.191382] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    dig-out=0x11/0x0
[   31.191388] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    inputs:
[   31.191394] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Rear Mic=0x18
[   31.191401] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Front Mic=0x19
[   31.191407] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Line=0x1a
[   31.256782] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: bound 0000:0a:00.0 (ops amdgpu_dm_audio_component_bind_ops [amdgpu])
[   31.260830] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=3 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input16
[   31.261200] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=7 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input17
[   31.261485] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=8 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input18
[   31.261774] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=9 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input19
[   31.262270] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=10 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input20
[   31.262767] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=11 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input21
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ^C
sudo dnf install alsa-tools-gui
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dnf install alsa-tools-gui
Updating and loading repositories:
Repositories loaded.
Failed to resolve the transaction:
No match for argument: alsa-tools-gui
You can try to add to command line:
  --skip-unavailable to skip unavailable packages
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dnf install alsa-tools-gui
Updating and loading repositories:
Repositories loaded.
Failed to resolve the transaction:
No match for argument: alsa-tools-gui
You can try to add to command line:
  --skip-unavailable to skip unavailable packages
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ dnf provides */hdajackretask
Updating and loading repositories:
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Nonfree                                                                                                                                         100% |  48.5 KiB/s | 348.2 KiB |  00m07s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Nonfree - Updates                                                                                                                               100% |   2.6 KiB/s |  15.6 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Nonfree - Steam                                                                                                                                 100% |   2.1 KiB/s |  12.5 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Nonfree - NVIDIA Driver                                                                                                                         100% |   4.0 KiB/s |  23.3 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Nonfree tainted                                                                                                                                 100% |   2.7 KiB/s |  15.7 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Free - Updates                                                                                                                                  100% |   4.1 KiB/s |  23.7 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Free tainted                                                                                                                                    100% |   1.7 KiB/s |  10.2 KiB |  00m06s
 RPM Fusion for Fedora 43 - Free                                                                                                                                            100% | 111.7 KiB/s | 712.9 KiB |  00m06s
 Copr repo for PyCharm owned by phracek                                                                                                                                     100% |  17.4 KiB/s |  81.3 KiB |  00m05s
 Fedora 43 openh264 (From Cisco) - x86_64                                                                                                                                   100% |   1.4 KiB/s |  10.1 KiB |  00m07s
 google-chrome                                                                                                                                                              100% |   1.6 KiB/s |   9.8 KiB |  00m06s
 Fedora 43 - x86_64                                                                                                                                                         100% |   5.8 MiB/s |  58.6 MiB |  00m10s
 Fedora 43 - x86_64 - Updates                                                                                                                                               100% |   1.6 MiB/s |  15.5 MiB |  00m10s
Repositories loaded.
alsa-tools-1.2.14-2.fc43.x86_64 : Specialist tools for ALSA
Repo         : fedora
Matched From : 
Filename     : /usr/bin/hdajackretask
Filename     : /usr/share/doc/alsa-tools/hdajackretask

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dnf install alsa-tools
Updating and loading repositories:
Repositories loaded.
Package                                                                 Arch             Version                                                                  Repository                                    Size
Installing:
 alsa-tools                                                             x86_64           1.2.14-2.fc43                                                            fedora                                     1.0 MiB
Installing dependencies:
 fltk                                                                   x86_64           1.3.11-2.fc43                                                            fedora                                     1.5 MiB
 mkfontscale                                                            x86_64           1.2.3-3.fc43                                                             fedora                                    45.0 KiB
 python3-alsa                                                           x86_64           1.2.14-5.fc43                                                            fedora                                   227.7 KiB
 xorg-x11-fonts-misc                                                    noarch           7.5-41.fc43                                                              fedora                                     6.1 MiB

Transaction Summary:
 Installing:         5 packages

Total size of inbound packages is 6 MiB. Need to download 6 MiB.
After this operation, 9 MiB extra will be used (install 9 MiB, remove 0 B).
Is this ok [y/N]: y
[1/5] python3-alsa-0:1.2.14-5.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                                   100% | 176.7 KiB/s |  69.4 KiB |  00m00s
[2/5] fltk-0:1.3.11-2.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                                           100% | 933.4 KiB/s | 615.1 KiB |  00m01s
[3/5] alsa-tools-0:1.2.14-2.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                                     100% | 421.0 KiB/s | 333.9 KiB |  00m01s
[4/5] mkfontscale-0:1.2.3-3.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                                     100% |  98.1 KiB/s |  31.5 KiB |  00m00s
[5/5] xorg-x11-fonts-misc-0:7.5-41.fc43.noarch                                                                                                                              100% |   5.7 MiB/s |   5.2 MiB |  00m01s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[5/5] Total                                                                                                                                                                 100% |   4.3 MiB/s |   6.2 MiB |  00m01s
Running transaction
[1/7] Verify package files                                                                                                                                                  100% | 185.0   B/s |   5.0   B |  00m00s
[2/7] Prepare transaction                                                                                                                                                   100% |   2.0   B/s |   5.0   B |  00m02s
[3/7] Installing mkfontscale-0:1.2.3-3.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                          100% |  23.0 KiB/s |  46.4 KiB |  00m02s
[4/7] Installing xorg-x11-fonts-misc-0:7.5-41.fc43.noarch                                                                                                                   100% |   1.8 MiB/s |   6.1 MiB |  00m03s
[5/7] Installing python3-alsa-0:1.2.14-5.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                        100% |   1.8 MiB/s | 232.2 KiB |  00m00s
[6/7] Installing fltk-0:1.3.11-2.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                                100% |  10.3 MiB/s |   1.5 MiB |  00m00s
[7/7] Installing alsa-tools-0:1.2.14-2.fc43.x86_64                                                                                                                          100% |  82.2 KiB/s |   1.0 MiB |  00m13s
Complete!
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ hdajackretask
0x11 0x90460130
0x12 0x40330000
0x14 0x01014010
0x15 0x411111f0
0x16 0x411111f0
0x17 0x411111f0
0x18 0x01a19040
0x19 0x02a19050
0x1a 0x0181304f
0x1b 0x02214020
0x1c 0x411111f0
0x1d 0x4046c629
0x1e 0x411111f0
0x1f 0x411111f0
1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force && sudo reboot
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i hda
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
[   15.939301] audit: type=1400 audit(1762565255.767:4): avc:  denied  { open } for  pid=656 comm="systemd-modules" path="/etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf" dev="sdc3" ino=281671 scontext=system_u:system_r:systemd_modules_load_t:s0 tcontext=unconfined_u:object_r:user_tmp_t:s0 tclass=file permissive=0
[   28.536097] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: Force to non-snoop mode
[   28.536170] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: Applying patch firmware 'hda-jack-retask.fw'
[   28.536383] snd_hda_intel 0000:0c:00.3: Applying patch firmware 'hda-jack-retask.fw'
[   28.898414] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0: autoconfig for ALC887-VD: line_outs=1 (0x14/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0) type:line
[   28.898427] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[   28.898435] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    hp_outs=1 (0x1b/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[   28.898445] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    mono: mono_out=0x0
[   28.898451] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    dig-out=0x11/0x0
[   28.898457] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:    inputs:
[   28.898464] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Rear Mic=0x18
[   28.898070] snd_hda_intel 0000:0a:00.1: bound 0000:0a:00.0 (ops amdgpu_dm_audio_component_bind_ops [amdgpu])
[   28.898470] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Front Mic=0x19
[   28.898476] snd_hda_codec_alc882 hdaudioC1D0:      Line=0x1a
[   28.901588] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=3 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input11
[   28.901826] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=7 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input12
[   28.902048] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=8 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input13
[   28.902305] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=9 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input14
[   28.902491] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=10 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input15
[   28.902706] input: HDA ATI HDMI HDMI/DP,pcm=11 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:08:00.0/0000:09:00.0/0000:0a:00.1/sound/card0/input16
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ amixer -c 2 | grep -i "db"
  Front Left: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 17 [42%] [-23.00dB] [on]
  Front Left: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 10 [31%] [0.00dB] [off] Capture 34 [100%] [34.00dB] [on]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pw-cli ls Node | grep -A2 ALC887
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
	id 56, type PipeWire:Interface:Node/3
--
 		node.nick = "ALC887-VD Analog"
 		media.class = "Audio/Source"
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=auto position_fix=1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

[anotheruser (Mark)]

@captain-jack

on-board sound from ASUS. Same problem is persisting: absurdly low volume unless I crank it up to ~25%

that’s acceptable for head phones. Maybe the windows driver has enabled amps?
Check the hw mixer alsamixer -c 2 or F6 and select the audio card.

[captain-jack]

With all due respect, I’d prefer to not use headphones as a stopgap for potential Linux driver inadequacies when I have a pair of tried and true Bose Companion II Series III speakers I’d like to put to proper use like I did on Windows.

I’d also like to get ahead and say I’m not trying to boost the volume beyond 100% just to have adequate sound on Linux. The Realtek ALC887VD drivers should be up to snuff. As I understand it (and please correct me if I’m wrong on any count), this specific driver is a huge sore spot for Linux because ALSA’s defaults are terrible, and there are so many differences in motherboard implementation.

Output of alsamixer -c 2 as below. As it stands, no change in the status quo. Volume under 25% is borderline inaudible despite everything being maxed out.

[anotheruser (Mark)]

@captain-jack

I’d prefer to not use headphones as a stopgap for potential Linux driver

no stopgap. Somehow I had the impression that you were using headphones. My mistake.

What is connected, some 2.1 ext. speakers with built-in amplifier?
Maybe try lowering the volume of the ext. speakers so that a mixer volume setting of 0dB is not extremely loud. Sorry for not having any better answer.

As you know the real problem lies in the countless different codec implementations and their OEM variants, as well as in the documentation that is sometimes missing or simply incorrect.

[captain-jack]

Well, as fate would have it, there was an issue with SELinux that dmesg was giving me. It was shared significantly earlier in the thread, but I only just now caught it.

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i avc
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
[   16.927964] audit: type=1400 audit(1762966655.626:4): avc:  denied  { open } for  pid=658 comm="systemd-modules" path="/etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf" dev="sdc3" ino=286077 scontext=system_u:system_r:systemd_modules_load_t:s0 tcontext=unconfined_u:object_r:user_tmp_t:s0 tclass=file permissive=0
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ls -lZ /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root unconfined_u:object_r:user_tmp_t:s0 275 Nov  7 20:43 /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo restorecon -v /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
Relabeled /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf from unconfined_u:object_r:user_tmp_t:s0 to unconfined_u:object_r:modules_conf_t:s0
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ls -lZ /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root unconfined_u:object_r:modules_conf_t:s0 275 Nov  7 20:43 /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dracut --force
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo reboot

Just now came back from a fresh reboot, the dmesg error is (seemingly) gone, everything (seemingly) checks out insofar as my hda-jack-retask.conf file is concerned… yet the inordinately low volume still persists after rebooting back into GNOME Shell.

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i avc
[sudo] password for captain-jack: 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ ls -lZ /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root unconfined_u:object_r:modules_conf_t:s0 275 Nov  7 20:43 /etc/modprobe.d/hda-jack-retask.conf
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

I’m reaching my wit’s end right about now. I’m open to suggestions that don’t involve boosting past 100% or otherwise resorting to headphones or external sound cards altogether.

@anotheruser

Maybe try lowering the volume of the ext. speakers so that a mixer volume setting of 0dB is not extremely loud. Sorry for not having any better answer.

This was one of the first things I tried, and it does absolutely nothing of value. After fiddling with software to 0db, the sound comes out distorted and crunchy regardless of what my physical volume knob is set to.

@anotheruser

As you know the real problem lies in the countless different codec implementations and their OEM variants, as well as in the documentation that is sometimes missing or simply incorrect.

I’m keenly aware of this, which is why I tried so many different options for alsa-base.conf because I saw other people get good results from the options they tried. For whatever reason, I’ve had no such luck.

[captain-jack]

Here’s an interesting development: I undid my hda-jack-retask configuration just to see what would happen upon reboot, and my sound went from “semi-audible at 15%” to “literally inaudible at 15%.” Restored the hda-jack-retask configuration, and now I’m back to “semi-audible at 15%.”

There’s definitely something amiss here. Maybe something to do with gain? I dunno at this point. All I can say is that I’m now mildly tempted to skulk around for a Linux-native external sound card/DAC because this is pure lunacy.

[anotheruser (Mark)]

@captain-jack

This was one of the first things I tried, and it does absolutely nothing of value. After fiddling with software to 0db, the sound comes out distorted and crunchy regardless of what my physical volume knob is set to.

ok, THAT is a problem. Do you hear the same distortions over head phones?

@captain-jack

There’s definitely something amiss here.

there are reports that some codecs do work when system was booted to windows first and then restarted to linux. It seems that the codec is not initialized correctly. Try also the other way. Power down for a few minutes, start and boot linux, not windows.

Have you checked alsa-info.sh output? Sometimes there are additional controls that alsamixer cannot access.

Also try to reset the card alsactl init 2 or clean 2 (stop pipewire* and wireplumber )
then check also /var/lib/alsa/asound.state sudo alsactl store / restore dumps / reads from this file
see systemctl status alsa-restore.service alsa-state.service

@captain-jack

I’m now mildly tempted to skulk around for a Linux-native external sound card/DAC

that’s def. an option.

[captain-jack]

@anotheruser

ok, THAT is a problem. Do you hear the same distortions over head phones?

Honestly? Wouldn’t know. I don’t have a pair of wired headphones on hand at the moment to check. I only have Bluetooth, and as far as I can tell, the inaudible/semi-audible shtick carries over to headphones.

@anotheruser

there are reports that some codecs do work when system was booted to windows first and then restarted to linux. It seems that the codec is not initialized correctly. Try also the other way. Power down for a few minutes, start and boot linux, not windows.

This is my mistake; I should’ve clarified. I’m not dual-booting Windows. I have Linux Mint installed on my internal SSD (same audio issues btw), and now I’m booting off a portable hard drive because I was tempted to give Fedora 43 a whirl.

@anotheruser

Have you checked alsa-info.sh output? Sometimes there are additional controls that alsamixer cannot access.

Yes I did, the paste was provided in my initial post
https://alsa-project.org/db/?f=787160d4a3832d657d508b853fce7b80fb351b7f

@anotheruser

Also try to reset the card alsactl init 2 or clean 2 (stop pipewire* and wireplumber )
then check also /var/lib/alsa/asound.state sudo alsactl store / restore dumps / reads from this file
see systemctl status alsa-restore.service alsa-state.service

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ alsactl init 1
Found hardware: "HDA-Intel" "Realtek ALC887-VD" "HDA:10ec0887,104386c7,00100302" "0x1043" "0x86c7"
Hardware is initialized using a generic method
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ alsactl clean 1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ systemctl status alsa-restore.service alsa-state.service
○ alsa-restore.service - Save/Restore Sound Card State
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/alsa-restore.service; static)
    Drop-In: /usr/lib/systemd/system/service.d
             └─10-timeout-abort.conf
     Active: inactive (dead)
  Condition: start condition unmet at Wed 2025-11-12 16:11:48 EST; 39min ago
             └─ ConditionPathExists=!/etc/alsa/state-daemon.conf was not met

Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning systemd[1]: alsa-restore.service - Save/Restore Sound Card State was skipped because of an unmet condition check (ConditionPathExists=!/etc/alsa/state-daemon.conf).

● alsa-state.service - Manage Sound Card State (restore and store)
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/alsa-state.service; static)
    Drop-In: /usr/lib/systemd/system/service.d
             └─10-timeout-abort.conf
     Active: active (running) since Wed 2025-11-12 16:11:48 EST; 39min ago
 Invocation: bc27b6f5c0d24d878b11056a6c62bd64
   Main PID: 1009 (alsactl)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 18966)
     Memory: 588K (peak: 1.2M)
        CPU: 13ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/alsa-state.service
             └─1009 /usr/sbin/alsactl -s -n 19 -c -E ALSA_CONFIG_PATH=/etc/alsa/alsactl.conf --initfile=/lib/alsa/init/00main rdaemon

Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #1 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #2 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #3 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #4 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #5 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #6 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #7 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #8 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #9 (No such file or directory)
Nov 12 16:11:48 the-lightning alsactl[1009]: /usr/sbin/alsactl: set_control:1346: failed to obtain info for control #39 (No such file or directory)
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

After rebooting, my onboard sound went to 1 instead of 2 like it was earlier.

@anotheruser

that’s def. an option.

Certainly not an option I’m inclined to jump at considering how much cash I’d have to part with to get a sound card/DAC/whatever that may or may not work, and if it doesn’t, I’d likely lose some of my return on UPS packaging back to the seller.

[anotheruser (Mark)]

@captain-jack

I only have Bluetooth, and as far as I can tell, the inaudible/semi-audible shtick carries over to headphones.

Hm, that should not be the case! AFAIK the realtek dac is not involved with bluetooth sinks. But I may be wrong.

stop all pipewire, pulseaudio and wireplumber and try to play audio wav file directly to the alsa device

[captain-jack]

@anotheruser

stop all pipewire, pulseaudio and wireplumber and try to play audio wav file directly to the alsa device

<strikethrough yeah, no measurable difference between pipewire being enabled and pipewire turned off. Still barely audible rubbish. I suppose it’s better than literally inaudible rubbish, but I digress. /strikethrough>

Turns out, I’m a bloody idiot! I didn’t do things correctly the first go around.

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ CARD=1 aplay -D hw:$CARD,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
ALSA lib confmisc.c:165:(snd_config_get_card) Cannot get card index for 
aplay: main:850: audio open error: Invalid argument
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ systemctl --user stop pipewire.socket pipewire-pulse.socket wireplumber.service pipewire.service
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ systemctl --user mask pipewire.socket pipewire-pulse.socket wireplumber.service pipewire.service
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ pkill -9 -f "pipewire|wireplumber|pulseaudio"
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ aplay -l | grep -i alc
card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 0: ALC887-VD Analog [ALC887-VD Analog]
card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 1: ALC887-VD Digital [ALC887-VD Digital]
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ CARD=1 aplay -D hw:$CARD,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
ALSA lib confmisc.c:165:(snd_config_get_card) Cannot get card index for 
aplay: main:850: audio open error: Invalid argument
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ CARD=1 aplay -D plughw:$CARD,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
ALSA lib confmisc.c:165:(snd_config_get_card) Cannot get card index for 
aplay: main:850: audio open error: Invalid argument
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /proc/asound/card1/stream0
cat: /proc/asound/card1/stream0: No such file or directory
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ alsamixer -c 1
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ aplay -D plughw:1,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
Playing WAVE '/usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav' : Signed 16 bit Little Endian, Rate 48000 Hz, Mono
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ aplay -D plughw:1,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
Playing WAVE '/usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav' : Signed 16 bit Little Endian, Rate 48000 Hz, Mono
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ aplay -D plughw:1,0 /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
Playing WAVE '/usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav' : Signed 16 bit Little Endian, Rate 48000 Hz, Mono
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

I hear “Front Center” so I think the problem is 100% PipeWire’s fault.

[captain-jack]

So, I tried forcing my audio directly through ALSA instead of PipeWire, and all the audio in my system was muted by the time I rebooted. Undid the changes, rebooted, now I’m back to the same dysfunctional status quo.

It would appear that my only options right now are to:

• Live with the quirks of my current setup despite how much it irks me
• Try to fix it via PipeWire via methods I’m hereto clueless about
• Try to fix it by forcing everything through ALSA using methods I’m hereto clueless about
• Develop ear plague by keeping my headphones over my head the entire time I’m using my PC
• Get a Linux-native external sound card/DAC and accept that the Realtek on-board sound from my MOBO is jank under Linux

Any suggestions?

[anotheruser (Mark)]

Have you tried playing a wav file with pw-play and paplay? Does it make any difference?
pw-play connects to pipewire, while paplay connects to pipewire-pulse.
bigger wav sample files are available on getsamplefiles.com

Pipewire has a great wiki and documentation

First check for stale/obsolete pipewire config files in ~/.config/
for other locations consult man pages pipewire.conf ,pipewire-pulse.conf

stop again pipewire* and wireplumber

$ mv ~/.config/pulse ~/.config/pulse_backup
$ mv ~/.config/pipewire ~/.config/pipewire_backup
$ mv ~/.local/state/wireplumber ~/.local/state/wireplumber_backup

restart

run pw-top and play audio, observe quant

On my system I usually see 2048 for sinks

S   ID  QUANT   RATE    WAIT    BUSY   W/Q   B/Q  ERR FORMAT           NAME                               
R   52   2048  48000 238.0us 109.1us  0.01  0.00    0    S32LE 2 48000 alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog
R   79   8192  44100 110.0us 108.8us  0.00  0.00    0    F32LE 2 44100  + Audacious

pw-metadata -n settings 0 to display current default settings.
you could try raising the clock.min.quantum from 32 to 128 , 256 or 512.
pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.min-quantum 128 higher values increase latency.

FWIW, on my system default settings work w/o issues. The only issue I found was with fluidsynth. Starting fluidsynth doing nothing garbled audio. It seems to force the sink to a smaller quant size.

S   ID  QUANT   RATE    WAIT    BUSY   W/Q   B/Q  ERR FORMAT           NAME                               
R   52     64  48000 120.4us   2.1us  0.09  0.00    1    S32LE 2 48000 alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog
R  117   8192  44100   2.4us   3.4us  0.00  0.00   12    F32LE 2 44100  + Audacious
R  111     64  44100 107.2us   8.4us  0.08  0.01    0    S16LE 2 44100  + alsa_playback.fluidsynth

[captain-jack]

Apologies for the protracted response time, my good man. I’m afraid that the setup I have right now is about as good as it’ll ever be, and I’ll simply have to “live with it.”

I’ve made the below changes in the interim, and kept the hdajackretask boot override to change 0x14, my motherboard’s rear audio jack, to “Headphones.”

captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd_hda_intel model=auto id=ALC887-VD index=0
options snd_hda_intel id=HDMI index=1
options snd-usb-audio id=Yeti index=2
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 0: ALC887-VD Analog [ALC887-VD Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 1: ALC887-VD Digital [ALC887-VD Digital]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 3: HDMI 0 [LG FHD]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 9: HDMI 3 [HDMI 3]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 10: HDMI 4 [HDMI 4]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: HDMI [HDA ATI HDMI], device 11: HDMI 5 [HDMI 5]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 2: Yeti [USB Advanced Audio Device], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ cat /proc/asound/cards
 0 [Generic        ]: HDA-Intel - HD-Audio Generic
                      HD-Audio Generic at 0xfcf00000 irq 77
 1 [HDMI           ]: HDA-Intel - HDA ATI HDMI
                      HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcda0000 irq 76
 2 [Yeti           ]: USB-Audio - USB Advanced Audio Device
                      C-Media Electronics Inc. USB Advanced Audio Device at usb-0000:03:00.0-2, full 
captain-jack@the-lightning:~$ 

It works, the volume is definitely louder now than it was when I first installed Fedora 43, but it’s ultimately a subpar user experience. The audio controls in GNOME Shell are, bluntly speaking, appalling. No precise percentages, it’s just a slider that I move up and down with no real feedback. I have to resort to running alsamixer -c 0 to properly control the master volume, then resort to PipeWire to control the audio mixing for all my other stuf fbecause that’s what GNOME Shell is built for.

I’d hesitate to call this problem solved because what I have right now is still 4-5 steps away from what I would call “adequate,” but this is unfortunately the best I have to work with absent buying new hardware altogether and hoping it works better. This thread topic maybe closed now; cheers for all the help guys.