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pipewire-high-res-arch

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How to configure pipewire for hi-res audio on arch

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# PipeWire Hi-Res Audio Configuration Guide for Arch Linux

## Overview

By default, PipeWire on Arch Linux may resample all audio to 48kHz, preventing proper hi-res audio playback (96kHz, 192kHz, 384kHz, DSD, etc.). This guide shows how to configure PipeWire and WirePlumber to enable bit-perfect, sample-rate-switching audio output.

## Problem Signs

- Your DAC/audio interface displays "PCM 48kHz" regardless of source material
- Hi-res FLAC files (96kHz+) are being downsampled
- `cat /proc/asound/cardX/pcm0p/sub0/hw_params` shows `rate: 48000` even when playing 96kHz content
- `pw-top` shows correct sample rate, but hardware receives 48kHz

## Prerequisites

- Arch Linux with PipeWire and WirePlumber installed
- A hi-res capable DAC/audio interface (USB DAC, Fiio, etc.)
- Hi-res audio files for testing (96kHz/24-bit FLAC or higher)

## Configuration Steps

### 1. Remove Conflicting ALSA Configuration

First, check if you have an `.asoundrc` file that's forcing resampling:

```bash
cat ~/.asoundrc
```

If it exists and contains `type plug` or similar resampling configurations, back it up and remove it:

```bash
mv ~/.asoundrc ~/.asoundrc.backup
```

### 2. Configure PipeWire

Create or edit the PipeWire configuration file:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d
vim ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d/99-hires.conf
```

Add the following content:

```conf
context.properties = {
    default.clock.allowed-rates = [ 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000 352800 384000 ]
}
```

**Note:** Do NOT set `default.clock.rate` - this allows PipeWire to switch rates dynamically.

### 3. Disable ALSA Card Profiles (ACP)

ACP can interfere with sample rate switching. Create a WirePlumber config:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.config/wireplumber/wireplumber.conf.d
vim ~/.config/wireplumber/wireplumber.conf.d/50-alsa-config.conf
```

Add:

```conf
monitor.alsa.rules = [
  {
    matches = [
      { device.name = "~alsa_card.*" }
    ]
    actions = {
      update-props = {
        api.alsa.use-acp = false
      }
    }
  }
]
```

### 4. Configure Device-Specific Settings

Create a configuration for your specific audio device. Replace `QX13` with your device name (check with `aplay -l`):

```bash
vim ~/.config/wireplumber/wireplumber.conf.d/51-device-format.conf
```

Add (adjust device name pattern as needed):

```conf
monitor.alsa.rules = [
  {
    matches = [
      { node.name = "~alsa_output.*YOUR_DEVICE_NAME.*" }
    ]
    actions = {
      update-props = {
        audio.format = "S32LE"
        audio.rate = 0
        audio.allowed-rates = "44100,48000,88200,96000,176400,192000,352800,384000"
        node.max-latency = 0
        api.alsa.period-size = 128
        api.alsa.headroom = 128
      }
    }
  }
]
```

**Key settings explained:**
- `audio.format = "S32LE"`: 32-bit signed little-endian (highest quality)
- `audio.rate = 0`: Passthrough mode (no resampling)
- `node.max-latency = 0`: Disables latency constraints that can lock sample rates
- `api.alsa.period-size = 128`: Buffer size for low latency

### 5. Restart Audio Services

```bash
systemctl --user restart wireplumber pipewire pipewire-pulse
```

## Verification

### Check Hardware Sample Rate

While playing a 96kHz FLAC file:

```bash
cat /proc/asound/card4/pcm0p/sub0/hw_params
```

You should see:
```
rate: 96000 (96000/1)
format: S32_LE
```

### Check PipeWire Status

```bash
pw-top
```

Look at the "RATE" column - it should show the actual source file's sample rate.

### Check Device Node Properties

Find your device:
```bash
wpctl status | grep -i "your_device_name"
```

Inspect the node (replace ID with yours):
```bash
wpctl inspect <ID>
```

Verify:
- `audio.rate = "0"` (passthrough enabled)
- `audio.allowed-rates` includes your target rates
- `api.alsa.use-acp = false` (on the device card)

### Test Different Sample Rates

Test files of different sample rates to verify switching:

```bash
# Check file sample rate
ffprobe your_audio_file.flac 2>&1 | grep "Stream.*Audio"

# Play and verify hardware rate
cat /proc/asound/card4/pcm0p/sub0/hw_params
```

Your DAC should display:
- 44.1kHz for CD rips
- 48kHz for some digital sources
- 96kHz, 192kHz, etc. for hi-res files

## Music Player Configuration

### Strawberry / Clementine

- **Backend:** GStreamer (default)
- **Output:** autoaudiosink or pipewiresink
- **Do NOT** enable resampling options
- **Do NOT** use ALSA direct output (PipeWire handles this better)

### MPD

Add to `~/.config/mpd/mpd.conf`:

```conf
audio_output {
    type            "pipewire"
    name            "PipeWire Output"
}
```

### VLC

- **Tools → Preferences → Audio**
- **Output module:** Automatic
- PipeWire will be used automatically

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: Still shows 48kHz

**Check:**
1. Device is not busy: `fuser -v /dev/snd/*`
2. Configs are loaded: `pw-dump | grep "use-acp"`
3. Node properties: `wpctl inspect <device_id> | grep rate`

**Solution:**
```bash
# Force reload
systemctl --user restart wireplumber pipewire pipewire-pulse

# Clear metadata
pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 0
```

### Issue: Audio glitches or dropouts

**Increase buffer sizes** in `51-device-format.conf`:

```conf
api.alsa.period-size = 256
api.alsa.headroom = 256
```

Then restart services.

### Issue: Device shows wrong sample rate

**Verify file is actually hi-res:**
```bash
ffprobe file.flac 2>&1 | grep Audio
```

Many "hi-res" downloads are actually 44.1kHz upsampled.

### Issue: WirePlumber warnings

If you see warnings about old Lua configs:
```bash
rm -rf ~/.config/wireplumber/main.lua.d/
```

WirePlumber 0.5+ uses `.conf` files, not Lua.

### Issue: Can't access device directly

If getting "Device busy" errors with direct ALSA:
```bash
# Stop PipeWire temporarily
systemctl --user stop wireplumber pipewire pipewire-pulse

# Test direct ALSA
aplay -D hw:CARD=YourCard,DEV=0 file.wav

# Restart
systemctl --user start wireplumber pipewire pipewire-pulse
```

## Advanced: Per-Application Settings

You can configure different settings per application:

```conf
monitor.alsa.rules = [
  {
    matches = [
      { application.name = "strawberry" }
    ]
    actions = {
      update-props = {
        node.latency = "256/96000"
        resample.quality = 15
      }
    }
  }
]
```

## Checking System Capabilities

### List Audio Devices
```bash
aplay -l
```

### Check Device Capabilities
```bash
cat /proc/asound/card*/stream0
```

Look for supported rates and formats.

### Check USB Audio Class
```bash
lsusb -v | grep -A 20 "Your Device"
```

Verify `bcdUSB 2.00` or higher for hi-res support.

## Files Summary

After configuration, you should have:

```
~/.config/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d/99-hires.conf
~/.config/wireplumber/wireplumber.conf.d/50-alsa-config.conf
~/.config/wireplumber/wireplumber.conf.d/51-device-format.conf
```

And **removed** or backed up:
```
~/.asoundrc (if it existed)
```

## References

- [PipeWire Documentation](https://docs.pipewire.org/)
- [WirePlumber Documentation](https://pipewire.pages.freedesktop.org/wireplumber/)
- [Arch Wiki: PipeWire](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PipeWire)

## Credits

Configuration developed through troubleshooting a Fiio QX13 USB DAC on Arch Linux.

pipewire-high-res-arch

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