Audio output too low for Line Input signals

I'm using the internal audio controller on the Asus M3A76-CM mobo, not a
separate sound card. For many months it worked okay; now the sound
levels from the speakers are far too low (maybe by 10 dB) for external
signals (like from my FM receiver) applied to Line Input port on the mobo.

On the mixer, Line In is selected and its gain and the master volume are
both at max. I've tried reinstalling the VIAHDaudio driver. No luck.

Sound levels from internal programs like Winamp and Windows Media
Player, Real player, etc. and from my DVD/CDRW recorder are all okay.

In the BIOS, there are Onboard Devices Configuration settings. HDAudio
controller is Enabled. For the Front Panel Select option, it doesn't
matter if I choose HDAudio or AC97.

Driver details:
Package Version: 7.4.00.31.via
Driver Version: 6.0.1.7400
Codec Type: 1708
Driver Provider: VIA Technologies
OS Version: Windows XP Home Edition

XP, Home Edition, v5.1, SP3 and dozens of hot fixes.

Any suggestions? Are there settings in the registry that might affect
just the Line In? I've searched for VIA and HD, but couldn't find
anything relevant.

Many thanks.

Rebel1

 

I need a translation. You are using the onboard sound. It is
connected to your speakers... for external signals like from your
FM receiver? That is where you lost me. A receiver plugged into
the line input has nothing to do with, it is not directly
connected to, the power of your onboard sound output. I would
avoid complicating the matter with unnecessary details.

 

Have you tried switching to the Microphone port, as a test ?

Maybe the output of the FM receiver is low.

If there was a resistive load across the FM receiver signal,
that could reduce its amplitude. (Like the receiver signal
is running to two places, and is being overloaded.)

I would try connecting another line level signal, and see if
you get good output from your M3A76-CM. Like if an old Walkman
is connected to Line In, do you get full level ? Or is
every line level source you connect being attenuated ?

You can actually use one computer, to deliver a line level signal
to another computer. Using Audacity (sound editor), I can
create a reference 440Hz tone and set the amplitude to 100%
in the waveform editor. With all sliders maxed in the source
computer, I get around a 1.1V RMS signal (as measured on a multimeter)
on Line Out. I can then run that into Line In on a second
computer and verify the amplitude received there. So if you
don't own any other audio source devices to test with, you
can also use a second computer as a "tone generator".

And if this annoys you enough, you can get a $10 sound card
for the PCI bus, and install that. Check to make sure you
have a spare slot, with room to install it. This example
is likely a CMI8738 based card (CMedia). Some cheap
VIA based cards are also shipping.

(Always check the Feedback section, to see if the drivers work...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829128003

Paul

 

The FM receiver's output goes to the mobo Line In. The mobo Line Out
goes to the powered speakers. The key point is that it is just the
volume from the FM receiver that is too soft, despite the Line In gain
being at max.

Although irrelevant to my problem, the mixer is configured for desktop
stereo speakers.

 

Instead of using the latest VIA audio driver, I went back one earlier
revision. Still low volume for Line In signals. So I will get a separate
audio card.

 

If it worked okay for many months and now it fails, either you
have misconfigured something or your hardware broke. As stated in
your next reply, installing/using an audio card can prove that
it's a hardware failure. If the onboard sound line input broke,
you might want to avoid using any functions of your onboard sound
in the future.

By the way... I misspoke, providing details is encouraged.

Good luck and have fun.
--

 

Not unless something happened to make it that way.
But of course your suggestion to try an add-in card is correct.

 

I replaced the onboard audio with a Diamond Xtreme 5.1, from Staples
(about $22). Line Input is much louder. However, there are balance
issues that I'll describe in a new thread.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

R1