PulseAudio is an outdated but still used audio server component, that leaves a lot to be desired. It really could use a lot of improvements, but Linux still uses it. Depending on your needs, you are going to run into some issues, and I would like to provide a PRO-TIP, that will greatly help out users out there.
Not only am I a computer nerd, but I am also a bit of an audiophile as well. While internal computer sound cards are much improved over the old designs, you are still requiring resources from your computer's CPU, to process the sound, which eats into your gaming performance.
I personally love external USB DAC's, (Digital Audio Converter) as you place all the sound processing on the DAC's chip, thus freeing up resources for your computer's CPU. The problem is, PulseAudio defaults to a 16-bitrate and a 44100-Hertz sampling rate.
PulseAudio, due to its bad design, has none of the config options in the GUI that actually matters, and it requires editing the config file, to make those changes. To increase your bitrate and sample rate, navigate to...
etc/pulse/daemon.conf
Now, open the Daemon.conf file as administrator.
Scroll all the way to the bottom, and you will find the sample bitrate format, as well as the default and alternate sample rates. If you simply change these values and save the config file, you will notice that the changes never stick.
This issue was the bane of my existence, until I discovered, that I need to commit out the semi-colones! So make sure to delete the semi-colones, for each config change you make. Then once you save the config file, then you can reboot your system.
Or, if you wanna be a pro, you could simply restart the PulseAudio server, using this command in terminal!
systemctl --user restart pulseaudio
If you have a DAC that has a screen, it will confirm the choice you made, to show the changes.
S.M.S.L M200 DAC
So, with that said, hopefully this prevents many other's from having to pull their hair out, wondering what is going on, why their changes aren't sticking.
