When I’m using my WASPI driver and have it set to Device Volume Control the volume does not increase or decrease when I move the volume slider. Also, when I’m using my ASIO driver and select WASAPI for volume control the same problem happens- moving the volume slider bar does not change the volume. How do I fix this?
What audio device(s) are you using? (e.g., internal sound card, USB DAC, audio interface — please include the make and model)
I’m using a Denafrips Hermes 12th-1 DDC connected to my desktop computer via USB. The DDC is then connected via I2S to my LAIV Harmony DAC
which is then connected to my Vincent SA-32 Hybrid Tube Preamp via XLR.
Are you using Exclusive Mode or Shared Mode with WASAPI?
I’m using Exclusive Mode.
Does the volume slider behave the same way with system sounds or only in your audio application?
Just in the audio application.
Which version of Windows are you using?
I’m using Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, 64 bit.
I hope this info helps, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
From our findings, Denafrips Hermes and LAIV Harmony DACs do not support digital volume control over USB. They’re pure bit-perfect devices and do not expose a software-controllable volume endpoint to the OS or to Roon via WASAPI or ASIO.
This seems to be by design: they assume you’ll handle volume either in analog (your Vincent preamp) or within Roon via DSP Volume.
However, there are some options for you to test out:
If you want to control volume digitally in Roon (rather than at your preamp):
In Roon, go to Settings → Audio → [Your Hermes Zone] → Device Setup
Under Volume Control Mode, choose: DSP Volume
This allows Roon to apply bit-depth-aware volume adjustment in software, before sending the signal out via USB.
Or, control Volume via Your Vincent SA-32 Preamp - This is your current analog solution, and it’s likely the cleanest from a purist audiophile standpoint, because:
You keep a full bit-perfect digital path all the way through the DAC
You adjust volume only after D/A conversion, avoiding digital truncation
Downside:
No volume control from within Roon or Windows.
I hope this helps @billhahn, certainly let us know your thoughts!
Just to clarify—have you had a chance to try enabling DSP Volume and see if it makes a difference?
If not, we’d recommend giving it a try as it may help with the issue you’re experiencing.
WASAPI-
DSP volume control works for DSD files, but the files are degraded to 352.8 PCM.
For FLAC files I am getting a “Failed To Initiate The Audio Device” notice when trying to play in DSP volume, Device volume and Fixed volume. In other words, I am unable yo play FLAC files at all using WASAPI.
ASIO-
DSP volume control does work for both DSD and FLAC files, but the files are both being degraded to 352.8 PCM.
Thanks for letting us know. Can you try to change the volume using Device Volume and let us know the time + date + track when you perform this action? We’ll then enable diagnostics to see if logs reveal any clues and what response Roon is getting from the device, thanks!
Thanks for the timestamps! We can see the failure when attempting to play ‘Northbound’ - Roon is trying to play a DSD64 track. It is converting it to PCM 24-bit/44.1kHz before sending it to the DAC.
The DAC’s config_info confirms support for 24-bit/44.1kHz PCM, so this isn’t a format mismatch on paper.
You may need to disable DoP or switch to PCM only.
Alternatively, try Native DSD mode if the driver supports it.
Roon converted DSD64 to 24/44.1 — which is technically allowed, but some DACs don’t like that odd combo. Try forcing conversion to 24/176.4 or 24/88.2 instead (in DSP settings).
Another thought - since you’re using Windows:
Use the official Thesycon/Denafrips USB driver (not Windows default)
Avoid hubs or noisy power USB ports
Try different USB ports (esp. rear-panel or directly on the motherboard)
When you attempt playback for ‘Petit Walt’ we see a similar failure:
Trace: [DENAFRIPS USB DAC] [raatclient] GOT [6] {"message":"RAAT__OUTPUT_PLUGIN_STATUS_DEVICE_INIT_FAILED","status":"DeviceInitFailed"}
When Roon attempts to open the stream with native DSD64, the DAC (via its driver) fails to initialize the audio output pipeline. Even though the stream opens at first, the actual initialization of the endpoint fails once audio starts being pushed.
You may need to disable DoP or switch to PCM only.
**** I don’t know how to disable DoP, and switching to PCM does not help.**
Alternatively, try Native DSD mode if the driver supports it.
** I don’t see Native DSD as an option in WASAPI
Roon converted DSD64 to 24/44.1 — which is technically allowed, but some DACs don’t like that odd combo. Try forcing conversion to 24/176.4 or 24/88.2 instead (in DSP settings).
** I don’t know where to find DSP settings.
Another thought - since you’re using Windows:
Use the official Thesycon/Denafrips USB driver (not Windows default)
** I am using Thesycon/Denafrips USB driver
Avoid hubs or noisy power USB ports
Try different USB ports (esp. rear-panel or directly on the motherboard)
** The answer to both these questions is that I’m using a dedicated USB card- the JCAT Femto USB Card that cost me $500- USB CARD FEMTO - JCAT . precision sounds.
When you attempt playback for ‘Petit Walt’ we see a similar failure:
Trace: [DENAFRIPS USB DAC] [raatclient] GOT [6] {“message”:“RAAT__OUTPUT_PLUGIN_STATUS_DEVICE_INIT_FAILED”,“status”:“DeviceInitFailed”}
When Roon attempts to open the stream with native DSD64, the DAC (via its driver) fails to initialize the audio output pipeline. Even though the stream opens at first, the actual initialization of the endpoint fails once audio starts being pushed.
****So what should I do about it?**
Let me know if any of the above steps help! :raising_hands:
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Why am I having so much trouble with this? It's VERY frustrating and I'm having absolutely no problems using the same drivers in J River Media Center.
Please advise ASAP.
Thanks.
You can find DSP settings by clicking on the volume → DSP icon:
Then setting a custom sample rate conversion:
Have you tried to bypass this device yet? It would be worth a try to see if there’s any difference between regular USB, and perhaps the Femto is triggering this behavior. It woudl be good if we can pinpoint to know whether to focus our efforts in that area.
Somehow when I was trying to make the adjustments you suggested to the Denafrips USB DAC (WASAPI) driver it disappeared from Roon (see screen shot), but it is still available and working in J River Media Center (see screenshot).
Thanks for your message. Please correct me if I’m mistaken, but based on your screenshot, it looks like the Denafrips DAC is appearing there. Was that not the device you were expecting to see?
I know you must think I’m crazy, but the WASAPI driver is occasionally disappearing when I switch to ASIO. See attached screenshot. I then have to shut down Roon and go back in and then it reappears. Can you explain that?
WASAPI will now play PCM files, but sometimes I get a failure message and then have to reboot to get them to play.
I did switch the USB connection from the JCAT Femto to the desktop computer and it had no effect. Device volume is still completely unresponsive.
Thanks for the additional details on what’s going on. We’ve gone ahead and escalated this case to our developers and were able to reproduce the issue internally. Once we hear back from the team with next steps or a potential fix, we’ll be sure to follow up with you here.
