testing, rhythmbox err msg "Failed to open output device: Unable to prepare device"

[songbird <songbird@anthive.com>]

help!  :)

  completely up to date on Debian testing.

  i'm not a sound guru, rhythmbox has not been working
for a while with the error message:

Failed to open output device: Unable to prepare device

  vlc, firefox, games, all play things without errors.

  i do not have pulse audio installed, (running MATE
desktop) other than a few bits which seem to be
required...

  any ideas?  i've tried other versions going back but
it seems to not make any difference now.


  songbird