MJ Ray markj@cloaked.freeserve.co.uk writes:
I installed ALSA (which debian have now got quite a nice build process for now, I think, although I hacked it about a little bit). The sound quality is absolutely loads better, but it still hung on the "bad" files.
I have to say, ALSA knocks spots off of the default kernel sound drivers. I spotted another channel in alsamixer that was muted, called "3D Control Switch". Unmuting it (it doesn't seem to have any volume) moved the sound centre from between the speakers to around my head. Wonderful, rich sound! :-)
So, let's compare:
OSS/Lite: default in the kernel, but gives a half-duplex, flat, slightly dull sound system.
ALSA: have to build as an extra, but uses the 3D sound card as a full-duplex, 3D, rich sound system.
If you listen to lots of music and have a supported card, do your ears a favour and install ALSA.
Now to get my bass-boosted large speakers working again, instead of these little ones ;-)