weird cd audio output problem

[dante_d]

I keep losing my left speaker when playing CDs, yet mp3, realmedia, etc. play flawlessly on both speakers.

I tried playing CDs through the K cd player as well as 'playcd' at the command line and still have problems with intermittent sound on the left balance.

I'm currently playing an mp3 right after having this problem with full stereo sound out of both speakers.

Any ideas how my audio could decide to crap out only on CDs and only on one speaker? :confused:

[Ig0r]

This might sound dumb, but have you checked the cable between the CD drive and your soundcard for problems and continuity, and also checked the connectors on both ends for good connections?

[dante_d]

have you checked the cable between the CD drive and your soundcard for problems and continuity, and also checked the connectors on both ends for good connections?

No. I'll take a look. I didn't really suspect hardwware since CDs and DVDs don't give me this problem in Windows. OTOH, I haven't been in Windows in a couple days, so maybe I would have that problem now in that OS too.