debcrafters-packages team mailing list archive

[Marek <2114760@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Update: I performed an extensive diagnostic test on my iMac 27" (2017),
equipped with an AMDGPU graphics card and a Cirrus Logic CS8409 audio
chip, running Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS with Wayland.

System configuration:

OS: Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS, Wayland

Kernel: 6.11.0-29-generic

Graphics: AMDGPU 25.10.1 (official driver from AMD)

Audio: CS8409, compiled manually from GitHub

Findings:

ALSA detects the CS8409 as card 0 (aplay -l), and the device works
properly.

PipeWire correctly recognizes the mixer and nodes (pw-dump confirms
CS8409/CS42L83 detection).

PulseAudio lists the output as alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-
stereo, driven via PipeWire and using the CS8409 mixer.

The kernel module snd_hda_codec_cs8409 is loaded (lsmod), and dmesg
confirms autoconfiguration for line outs, headphone outs, and internal
mics.

The system has the latest headers installed: linux-
headers-6.11.0-29-generic and linux-headers-generic-hwe-24.04, matching
the active kernel — no legacy packages were needed.

Note: The CS8409 driver must be compiled manually and breaks after
kernel updates unless recompiled. This clearly shows the need to
integrate the driver into either alsa-ucm-conf or the mainline Linux
kernel. Modern Ubuntu systems are fully capable of supporting it without
older headers — the only missing piece is native module inclusion.

Additional note (graphics): To ensure proper graphical performance on
iMac 27" (2017) with AMD Radeon GPUs, I highly recommend that AMDGPU
drivers be prioritized in kernel-level integration. When I installed
AMDGPU 25.10.1 for Ubuntu 24.04.2, the system instantly detected native
5K resolution without any manual configuration. Mesa fallback drivers
caused incorrect resolution detection and had a negative impact on audio
subsystem behavior. Using AMDGPU significantly improves both graphical
and system stability.

Recommendation: Please consider adding native support for the CS8409
codec into alsa-ucm-conf or the Linux kernel. Additionally, prioritize
AMDGPU over Mesa drivers when detecting Apple hardware during OS setup.
These changes would ensure reliable functionality across graphics and
audio systems for affected users.

Thank you for your work!

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of
Debcrafters packages, which is subscribed to alsa-driver in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2114760

Title:
  Missing drivers for Cirrus Logic CS8409 and AMDGPU on iMac 27" (2017)
  5K

Status in alsa-driver package in Ubuntu:
  New
Status in alsa-ucm-conf package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Subject: Missing drivers for Cirrus Logic CS8409 and AMDGPU on iMac
  27" (2017) 5K

  Dear Ubuntu OS Team,

  I am using Ubuntu 24.04.02 on an iMac 27" (2017) 5K and have
  encountered issues with the Cirrus Logic CS8409 audio chip. Alsa,
  PulseAudio, and Pipewire are unable to properly utilize it. I found a
  driver on GitHub (github.com/egorenar/snd-hda-codec-cs8409), but it
  requires outdated headers, making it impossible to install.

  AMDGPU Issues: During system installation, the display appears in a
  tiny interface. While it works fine after changing the resolution,
  navigating such an interface is extremely difficult. It is unclear
  which resolution is correct for this iMac model.

  Audio Issues:

  There is no sound during installation, after installation, or even
  after system updates.

  The sound settings only show "Dummy Output", with no available audio
  devices.

  When I attempt to install the driver using:

  sudo apt install linux-headers-generic  
  sudo apt install build-essential git gcc-12  
  the driver gets uninstalled after a system update, or the sound stops working entirely—forcing me to repeat the process from scratch. It seems that PulseAudio, ALSA, and Pipewire conflict with the Cirrus Logic CS8409 chip.

  I would like to ask if there is a solution to this issue or whether a
  fix could be included in an upcoming Ubuntu OS update or package
  release.

  Thank you for your help and for the great work on Ubuntu!

  Best regards, Marek

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 24.04
  Package: alsa-base 1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu7
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.8.0-60.63~22.04.1-generic 6.8.12
  Uname: Linux 6.8.0-60-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.8
  Architecture: amd64
  AudioDevicesInUse:
   USER        PID ACCESS COMMAND
   /dev/snd/seq:        mahav      1315 F.... pipewire
   /dev/snd/controlC1:  mahav      1317 F.... wireplumber
   /dev/snd/controlC0:  mahav      1317 F.... wireplumber
  CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
  CurrentDesktop: zorin:GNOME
  Date: Mon Jun 16 20:08:10 2025
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2025-06-01 (15 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Zorin-OS 17.3 Core 64bit
  PackageArchitecture: all
  PulseList: Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
  SourcePackage: alsa-driver
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
  dmi.bios.date: 06/23/2024
  dmi.bios.release: 0.1
  dmi.bios.vendor: Apple Inc.
  dmi.bios.version: 529.140.2.0.0
  dmi.board.name: Mac-BE088AF8C5EB4FA2
  dmi.board.vendor: Apple Inc.
  dmi.board.version: iMac18,3
  dmi.chassis.type: 9
  dmi.chassis.vendor: Apple Inc.
  dmi.chassis.version: Mac-BE088AF8C5EB4FA2
  dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAppleInc.:bvr529.140.2.0.0:bd06/23/2024:br0.1:svnAppleInc.:pniMac18,3:pvr1.0:rvnAppleInc.:rnMac-BE088AF8C5EB4FA2:rvriMac18,3:cvnAppleInc.:ct9:cvrMac-BE088AF8C5EB4FA2:sku:
  dmi.product.family: iMac
  dmi.product.name: iMac18,3
  dmi.product.version: 1.0
  dmi.sys.vendor: Apple Inc.

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