DX3 Pro+ stereo balance

[HenryEJ]

Hi guys. First post here.

Does anyone know how to change stereo balance on the DX3 Pro+ DAC? I cannot find a way to do this.

I use it via USB on a Windows 10 computer to listen to my headphones.

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[Jimbob54]

Hi guys. First post here.

Does anyone know how to change stereo balance on the DX3 Pro+ DAC? I cannot find a way to do this.

I use it via USB on a Windows 10 computer to listen to my headphones.

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

Dont believe you can on the device .so adjust in windows .

 

[HenryEJ]

Dont believe you can on the device .so adjust in windows .

That's the thing. I cannot find the balance option on the device properties on Windows. Even with latest firmware and updated drivers.

 

[thunderchicken]

It would be in system audio, not in the device properties.

 

[staticV3]

That's the thing. I cannot find the balance option on the device properties on Windows. Even with latest firmware and updated drivers.

It should be in the Sound Control Panel:

 

[HenryEJ]

It should be in the Sound Control Panel:
View attachment 446242

The balance option does not show up on the levels tab. Only the master volume shows up.

 

[HenryEJ]

It would be in system audio, not in the device properties.

What are the steps to open system audio?

 

[twsecrest]

The balance option does not show up on the levels tab. Only the master volume shows up.

What is the make and model of your motherboard?
Have you updated the Realtek software?

 

[staticV3]

What is the make and model of your motherboard?
Have you updated the Realtek software?

Irrelevant, since OP is using an external DAC.

The balance option does not show up on the levels tab. Only the master volume shows up.

Hmm.

There are two potential places where you may be able to control channel balance:

1. Xmos driver window, as long as you've installed the Xmos driver and it's successfully loaded.

Check under Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers->DX3->Properties->"Manufacturer: Microsoft"=stock generic device driver, "Manufacturer: anything else"=custom driver.

2. Sound Control Panel, like in my screenshot.

If with the Xmos driver installed and loaded, there's no balance control in the Xmos window, nor in the Sound Control Panel, then go to Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers->DX3->Right-click->Uninstall device.

After successful uninstallation, plug the DX3 out of your PC, restart the PC, then plug it back in.

Let Windows install the device, then after the "The device is ready for use" pop-up, check in Device Manager that Manufacturer=Microsoft->Generic device driver loaded, then recheck the Sound Control Panel for the presence of Balance control.

If Balance control cannot be found, not in Sound Control Panel+Xmos driver, nor Sound Control Panel+Generic driver, nor Xmos driver+Xmos panel, then the only way I see to apply systemwide balance control is using something like Equalizer APO.

Keep in mind that EQApo will only work with regular apps and programs that use the DirectSound or Wasapi Shared API (Chrome, Spotify, VLC, Video games etc.)

If you set the audio output to ASIO or Wasapi Exclusive, then EQApo-based balance control will be bypassed.

 

[HenryEJ]

What is the make and model of your motherboard?
Have you updated the Realtek software?

Asus Prime Z390-A
Yes I have.

 

[HenryEJ]

Irrelevant, since OP is using an external DAC.


Hmm.

There are two potential places where you may be able to control channel balance:

1. Xmos driver window, as long as you've installed the Xmos driver and it's successfully loaded.

Check under Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers->DX3->Properties->"Manufacturer: Microsoft"=stock generic device driver, "Manufacturer: anything else"=custom driver.

2. Sound Control Panel, like in my screenshot.

If with the Xmos driver installed and loaded, there's no balance control in the Xmos window, nor in the Sound Control Panel, then go to Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers->DX3->Right-click->Uninstall device.

After successful uninstallation, plug the DX3 out of your PC, restart the PC, then plug it back in.

Let Windows install the device, then after the "The device is ready for use" pop-up, check in Device Manager that Manufacturer=Microsoft->Generic device driver loaded, then recheck the Sound Control Panel for the presence of Balance control.

If Balance control cannot be found, not in Sound Control Panel+Xmos driver, nor Sound Control Panel+Generic driver, nor Xmos driver+Xmos panel, then the only way I see to apply systemwide balance control is using something like Equalizer APO.

Keep in mind that EQApo will only work with regular apps and programs that use the DirectSound or Wasapi Shared API (Chrome, Spotify, VLC, Video games etc.)

If you set the audio output to ASIO or Wasapi Exclusive, then EQApo-based balance control will be bypassed.

I uninstalled the driver and let Windows install it as suggested. Manufacturer shows up as Microsoft. I am still not able to control balance. Not sure what you mean on step 1 by "Xmos driver window". Which window would that be? Or how do I access it?

 

[staticV3]

Not sure what you mean on step 1 by "Xmos driver window". Which window would that be?

Here's the Xmos panel of my SMSL PO100, including Balance control:

Or how do I access it?

It's been a while, but I believe you can access it from the System Tray.

 

[Jimbob54]

My work laptop is w10 . Let me check where to find balance

 

[twsecrest]

Here's the Xmos panel of my SMSL PO100, including Balance control:
View attachment 446412


It's been a while, but I believe you can access it from the System Tray.

That's a screenshot of the program Foobar2000, which I'm guessing the OP is not using?

 

[staticV3]

That's a screenshot of the program Foobar2000, which I'm guessing the OP is not using?

Look to the right.

The Xmos panel functions independently of foobar. I just put it next to foobar to show more in one screenshot (different context).

 

[Jimbob54]

Right. Forget all the above for now

Settings - sound

Select the topping as output device . Device properties
Balance

Hey presto . See screen grabs

 

[Jimbob54]

Unless you are using wasapi exclusive or asio in your player app . Then all bets are off

 

[staticV3]

Right. Forget all the above for now

Settings - sound

Select the topping as output device . Device properties
Balance

Hey presto . See screen grabs
View attachment 446451View attachment 446452

The presence of Balance control in the Windows control panel might be device specific, relying on the device having separate L/R UAC2 hardware volume controls.

Your screenshots show a Luxury&Precision DAC, so they may not be applicable to OP with his DX3.

 

[Jimbob54]

The presence of Balance control in the Windows control panel might be device specific, relying on the device having separate L/R UAC2 hardware volume controls.

Your screenshots show a Luxury&Precision DAC, so they may not be applicable to OP with his DX3.

Possibly . But that is where balance can be found on w10 machines and every dongle dac I've plugged in has it . Worth @HenryEJ confirming he's looked in that precise location and not found it.

 

[HenryEJ]

Possibly . But that is where balance can be found on w10 machines and every dongle dac I've plugged in has it . Worth @HenryEJ confirming he's looked in that precise location and not found it.

The presence of Balance control in the Windows control panel might be device specific, relying on the device having separate L/R UAC2 hardware volume controls.

Your screenshots show a Luxury&Precision DAC, so they may not be applicable to OP with his DX3.

I have been away from home for a few days. Will report back to you guys on whether I found a solution as soon as I get back.