diff --git a/src/filter/plugins/ReplayGainFilterPlugin.cxx b/src/filter/plugins/ReplayGainFilterPlugin.cxx
index 4e62d93c2..2ec07c2bd 100644
--- a/src/filter/plugins/ReplayGainFilterPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/filter/plugins/ReplayGainFilterPlugin.cxx
@@ -158,9 +158,11 @@ ReplayGainFilter::Update()
 		if (_volume > 100)
 			_volume = 100;
 
-		Error error;
-		if (!mixer_set_volume(mixer, _volume, error))
-			LogError(error, "Failed to update hardware mixer");
+		try {
+			mixer_set_volume(mixer, _volume);
+		} catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+			LogError(e, "Failed to update hardware mixer");
+		}
 	} else
 		pv.SetVolume(volume);
 }
diff --git a/src/mixer/MixerAll.cxx b/src/mixer/MixerAll.cxx
index e5878887b..f82d940f6 100644
--- a/src/mixer/MixerAll.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/MixerAll.cxx
@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@
 #include "MixerList.hxx"
 #include "output/Internal.hxx"
 #include "pcm/Volume.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 #include "Log.hxx"
 
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <assert.h>
 
 static int
@@ -39,14 +40,14 @@ output_mixer_get_volume(const AudioOutput &ao)
 	if (mixer == nullptr)
 		return -1;
 
-	Error error;
-	int volume = mixer_get_volume(mixer, error);
-	if (volume < 0 && error.IsDefined())
-		FormatError(error,
+	try {
+		return mixer_get_volume(mixer);
+	} catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+		FormatError(e,
 			    "Failed to read mixer for '%s'",
 			    ao.name);
-
-	return volume;
+		return -1;
+	}
 }
 
 int
@@ -81,14 +82,15 @@ output_mixer_set_volume(AudioOutput &ao, unsigned volume)
 	if (mixer == nullptr)
 		return false;
 
-	Error error;
-	bool success = mixer_set_volume(mixer, volume, error);
-	if (!success && error.IsDefined())
-		FormatError(error,
+	try {
+		mixer_set_volume(mixer, volume);
+		return true;
+	} catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+		FormatError(e,
 			    "Failed to set mixer for '%s'",
 			    ao.name);
-
-	return success;
+		return false;
+	}
 }
 
 bool
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ output_mixer_get_software_volume(const AudioOutput &ao)
 	if (mixer == nullptr || !mixer->IsPlugin(software_mixer_plugin))
 		return -1;
 
-	return mixer_get_volume(mixer, IgnoreError());
+	return mixer_get_volume(mixer);
 }
 
 int
@@ -148,6 +150,6 @@ MultipleOutputs::SetSoftwareVolume(unsigned volume)
 		if (mixer != nullptr &&
 		    (&mixer->plugin == &software_mixer_plugin ||
 		     &mixer->plugin == &null_mixer_plugin))
-			mixer_set_volume(mixer, volume, IgnoreError());
+			mixer_set_volume(mixer, volume);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/mixer/MixerControl.cxx b/src/mixer/MixerControl.cxx
index f9821bb1a..33f26ccc9 100644
--- a/src/mixer/MixerControl.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/MixerControl.cxx
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "config.h"
 #include "MixerControl.hxx"
 #include "MixerInternal.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 
 #include <assert.h>
 
@@ -28,10 +27,9 @@ Mixer *
 mixer_new(EventLoop &event_loop,
 	  const MixerPlugin &plugin, AudioOutput &ao,
 	  MixerListener &listener,
-	  const ConfigBlock &block,
-	  Error &error)
+	  const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
-	Mixer *mixer = plugin.init(event_loop, ao, listener, block, error);
+	Mixer *mixer = plugin.init(event_loop, ao, listener, block);
 
 	assert(mixer == nullptr || mixer->IsPlugin(plugin));
 
@@ -50,20 +48,24 @@ mixer_free(Mixer *mixer)
 	delete mixer;
 }
 
-bool
-mixer_open(Mixer *mixer, Error &error)
+void
+mixer_open(Mixer *mixer)
 {
-	bool success;
-
 	assert(mixer != nullptr);
 
 	const ScopeLock protect(mixer->mutex);
 
-	success = mixer->open || (mixer->open = mixer->Open(error));
+	if (mixer->open)
+		return;
 
-	mixer->failed = !success;
-
-	return success;
+	try {
+		mixer->Open();
+		mixer->open = true;
+		mixer->failed = false;
+	} catch (...) {
+		mixer->failed = true;
+		throw;
+	}
 }
 
 static void
@@ -109,39 +111,41 @@ mixer_failed(Mixer *mixer)
 }
 
 int
-mixer_get_volume(Mixer *mixer, Error &error)
+mixer_get_volume(Mixer *mixer)
 {
 	int volume;
 
 	assert(mixer != nullptr);
 
-	if (mixer->plugin.global && !mixer->failed &&
-	    !mixer_open(mixer, error))
-		return -1;
+	if (mixer->plugin.global && !mixer->failed)
+		mixer_open(mixer);
 
 	const ScopeLock protect(mixer->mutex);
 
 	if (mixer->open) {
-		volume = mixer->GetVolume(error);
-		if (volume < 0 && error.IsDefined())
+		try {
+			volume = mixer->GetVolume();
+		} catch (...) {
 			mixer_failed(mixer);
+			throw;
+		}
 	} else
 		volume = -1;
 
 	return volume;
 }
 
-bool
-mixer_set_volume(Mixer *mixer, unsigned volume, Error &error)
+void
+mixer_set_volume(Mixer *mixer, unsigned volume)
 {
 	assert(mixer != nullptr);
 	assert(volume <= 100);
 
-	if (mixer->plugin.global && !mixer->failed &&
-	    !mixer_open(mixer, error))
-		return false;
+	if (mixer->plugin.global && !mixer->failed)
+		mixer_open(mixer);
 
 	const ScopeLock protect(mixer->mutex);
 
-	return mixer->open && mixer->SetVolume(volume, error);
+	if (mixer->open)
+		mixer->SetVolume(volume);
 }
diff --git a/src/mixer/MixerControl.hxx b/src/mixer/MixerControl.hxx
index 23d5adf28..e153f9bc0 100644
--- a/src/mixer/MixerControl.hxx
+++ b/src/mixer/MixerControl.hxx
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #ifndef MPD_MIXER_CONTROL_HXX
 #define MPD_MIXER_CONTROL_HXX
 
-class Error;
 class Mixer;
 class EventLoop;
 struct AudioOutput;
@@ -33,17 +32,22 @@ struct MixerPlugin;
 class MixerListener;
 struct ConfigBlock;
 
+/**
+ * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+ */
 Mixer *
 mixer_new(EventLoop &event_loop, const MixerPlugin &plugin, AudioOutput &ao,
 	  MixerListener &listener,
-	  const ConfigBlock &block,
-	  Error &error);
+	  const ConfigBlock &block);
 
 void
 mixer_free(Mixer *mixer);
 
-bool
-mixer_open(Mixer *mixer, Error &error);
+/**
+ * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+ */
+void
+mixer_open(Mixer *mixer);
 
 void
 mixer_close(Mixer *mixer);
@@ -55,10 +59,16 @@ mixer_close(Mixer *mixer);
 void
 mixer_auto_close(Mixer *mixer);
 
+/**
+ * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+ */
 int
-mixer_get_volume(Mixer *mixer, Error &error);
+mixer_get_volume(Mixer *mixer);
 
-bool
-mixer_set_volume(Mixer *mixer, unsigned volume, Error &error);
+/**
+ * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+ */
+void
+mixer_set_volume(Mixer *mixer, unsigned volume);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/mixer/MixerInternal.hxx b/src/mixer/MixerInternal.hxx
index a9476c10c..68cb4605f 100644
--- a/src/mixer/MixerInternal.hxx
+++ b/src/mixer/MixerInternal.hxx
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ public:
 	/**
 	 * Open mixer device
 	 *
-	 * @return true on success, false on error
+	 * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
 	 */
-	virtual bool Open(Error &error) = 0;
+	virtual void Open() = 0;
 
 	/**
 	 * Close mixer device
@@ -79,19 +79,22 @@ public:
 	/**
 	 * Reads the current volume.
 	 *
+	 * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+	 *
 	 * @return the current volume (0..100 including) or -1 if
-	 * unavailable or on error (error set, mixer will be closed)
+	 * unavailable
 	 */
 	gcc_pure
-	virtual int GetVolume(Error &error) = 0;
+	virtual int GetVolume() = 0;
 
 	/**
 	 * Sets the volume.
 	 *
-	 * @param volume the new volume (0..100 including) @return
-	 * true on success, false on error
+	 * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+	 *
+	 * @param volume the new volume (0..100 including)
 	 */
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) = 0;
+	virtual void SetVolume(unsigned volume) = 0;
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/mixer/MixerPlugin.hxx b/src/mixer/MixerPlugin.hxx
index f12631d0a..cc86b2e50 100644
--- a/src/mixer/MixerPlugin.hxx
+++ b/src/mixer/MixerPlugin.hxx
@@ -32,22 +32,20 @@ struct AudioOutput;
 class Mixer;
 class MixerListener;
 class EventLoop;
-class Error;
 
 struct MixerPlugin {
 	/**
          * Alocates and configures a mixer device.
 	 *
+	 * Throws std::runtime_error on error.
+	 *
 	 * @param ao the associated AudioOutput
 	 * @param param the configuration section
-	 * @param error_r location to store the error occurring, or
-	 * nullptr to ignore errors
-	 * @return a mixer object, or nullptr on error
+	 * @return a mixer object
 	 */
 	Mixer *(*init)(EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 		       MixerListener &listener,
-		       const ConfigBlock &block,
-		       Error &error);
+		       const ConfigBlock &block);
 
 	/**
 	 * If true, then the mixer is automatically opened, even if
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/AlsaMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/AlsaMixerPlugin.cxx
index d6984fa13..be43b3d33 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/AlsaMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/AlsaMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 #include "util/ASCII.hxx"
 #include "util/ReusableArray.hxx"
 #include "util/Clamp.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 #include "util/Domain.hxx"
+#include "util/RuntimeError.hxx"
 #include "Log.hxx"
 
 #include <algorithm>
@@ -82,13 +82,13 @@ public:
 	virtual ~AlsaMixer();
 
 	void Configure(const ConfigBlock &block);
-	bool Setup(Error &error);
+	void Setup();
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	virtual bool Open(Error &error) override;
-	virtual void Close() override;
-	virtual int GetVolume(Error &error) override;
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	void Open() override;
+	void Close() override;
+	int GetVolume() override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
 static constexpr Domain alsa_mixer_domain("alsa_mixer");
@@ -148,8 +148,11 @@ alsa_mixer_elem_callback(snd_mixer_elem_t *elem, unsigned mask)
 		snd_mixer_elem_get_callback_private(elem);
 
 	if (mask & SND_CTL_EVENT_MASK_VALUE) {
-		int volume = mixer.GetVolume(IgnoreError());
-		mixer.listener.OnMixerVolumeChanged(mixer, volume);
+		try {
+			int volume = mixer.GetVolume();
+			mixer.listener.OnMixerVolumeChanged(mixer, volume);
+		} catch (const std::runtime_error &) {
+		}
 	}
 
 	return 0;
@@ -174,8 +177,7 @@ AlsaMixer::Configure(const ConfigBlock &block)
 static Mixer *
 alsa_mixer_init(EventLoop &event_loop, gcc_unused AudioOutput &ao,
 		MixerListener &listener,
-		const ConfigBlock &block,
-		gcc_unused Error &error)
+		const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	AlsaMixer *am = new AlsaMixer(event_loop, listener);
 	am->Configure(block);
@@ -205,39 +207,26 @@ alsa_mixer_lookup_elem(snd_mixer_t *handle, const char *name, unsigned idx)
 	return nullptr;
 }
 
-inline bool
-AlsaMixer::Setup(Error &error)
+inline void
+AlsaMixer::Setup()
 {
 	int err;
 
-	if ((err = snd_mixer_attach(handle, device)) < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "failed to attach to %s: %s",
-			     device, snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if ((err = snd_mixer_attach(handle, device)) < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("failed to attach to %s: %s",
+					 device, snd_strerror(err));
 
-	if ((err = snd_mixer_selem_register(handle, nullptr,
-		    nullptr)) < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "snd_mixer_selem_register() failed: %s",
-			     snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if ((err = snd_mixer_selem_register(handle, nullptr, nullptr)) < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("snd_mixer_selem_register() failed: %s",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 
-	if ((err = snd_mixer_load(handle)) < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "snd_mixer_load() failed: %s\n",
-			     snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if ((err = snd_mixer_load(handle)) < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("snd_mixer_load() failed: %s\n",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 
 	elem = alsa_mixer_lookup_elem(handle, control, index);
-	if (elem == nullptr) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, 0,
-			    "no such mixer control: %s", control);
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (elem == nullptr)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("no such mixer control: %s", control);
 
 	snd_mixer_selem_get_playback_volume_range(elem, &volume_min,
 						  &volume_max);
@@ -246,33 +235,29 @@ AlsaMixer::Setup(Error &error)
 	snd_mixer_elem_set_callback(elem, alsa_mixer_elem_callback);
 
 	monitor = new AlsaMixerMonitor(event_loop, handle);
-
-	return true;
 }
 
-inline bool
-AlsaMixer::Open(Error &error)
+void
+AlsaMixer::Open()
 {
 	int err;
 
 	volume_set = -1;
 
 	err = snd_mixer_open(&handle, 0);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "snd_mixer_open() failed: %s", snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (err < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("snd_mixer_open() failed: %s",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 
-	if (!Setup(error)) {
+	try {
+		Setup();
+	} catch (...) {
 		snd_mixer_close(handle);
-		return false;
+		throw;
 	}
-
-	return true;
 }
 
-inline void
+void
 AlsaMixer::Close()
 {
 	assert(handle != nullptr);
@@ -283,8 +268,8 @@ AlsaMixer::Close()
 	snd_mixer_close(handle);
 }
 
-inline int
-AlsaMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
+int
+AlsaMixer::GetVolume()
 {
 	int err;
 	int ret;
@@ -293,22 +278,16 @@ AlsaMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
 	assert(handle != nullptr);
 
 	err = snd_mixer_handle_events(handle);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "snd_mixer_handle_events() failed: %s",
-			     snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (err < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("snd_mixer_handle_events() failed: %s",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 
 	err = snd_mixer_selem_get_playback_volume(elem,
 						  SND_MIXER_SCHN_FRONT_LEFT,
 						  &level);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "failed to read ALSA volume: %s",
-			     snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (err < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("failed to read ALSA volume: %s",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 
 	ret = ((volume_set / 100.0) * (volume_max - volume_min)
 	       + volume_min) + 0.5;
@@ -322,8 +301,8 @@ AlsaMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-inline bool
-AlsaMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error)
+void
+AlsaMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume)
 {
 	float vol;
 	long level;
@@ -340,14 +319,9 @@ AlsaMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error)
 	level = Clamp(level, volume_min, volume_max);
 
 	err = snd_mixer_selem_set_playback_volume_all(elem, level);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		error.Format(alsa_mixer_domain, err,
-			     "failed to set ALSA volume: %s",
-			     snd_strerror(err));
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	return true;
+	if (err < 0)
+		throw FormatRuntimeError("failed to set ALSA volume: %s",
+					 snd_strerror(err));
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin alsa_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/NullMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/NullMixerPlugin.cxx
index 14c1b57d6..4dee37560 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/NullMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/NullMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -34,20 +34,18 @@ public:
 	}
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	bool Open(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
-		return true;
+	void Open() override {
 	}
 
 	void Close() override {
 	}
 
-	int GetVolume(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
+	int GetVolume() override {
 		return volume;
 	}
 
-	bool SetVolume(unsigned _volume, gcc_unused Error &error) override {
+	void SetVolume(unsigned _volume) override {
 		volume = _volume;
-		return true;
 	}
 };
 
@@ -55,8 +53,7 @@ static Mixer *
 null_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop,
 		gcc_unused AudioOutput &ao,
 		MixerListener &listener,
-		gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block,
-		gcc_unused Error &error)
+		gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	return new NullMixer(listener);
 }
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/OssMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/OssMixerPlugin.cxx
index 4425e6fe8..b463c4563 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/OssMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/OssMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -21,9 +21,10 @@
 #include "mixer/MixerInternal.hxx"
 #include "config/Block.hxx"
 #include "system/fd_util.h"
+#include "system/Error.hxx"
 #include "util/ASCII.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 #include "util/Domain.hxx"
+#include "util/RuntimeError.hxx"
 #include "Log.hxx"
 
 #include <assert.h>
@@ -49,16 +50,18 @@ class OssMixer final : public Mixer {
 	int volume_control;
 
 public:
-	OssMixer(MixerListener &_listener)
-		:Mixer(oss_mixer_plugin, _listener) {}
+	OssMixer(MixerListener &_listener, const ConfigBlock &block)
+		:Mixer(oss_mixer_plugin, _listener) {
+		Configure(block);
+	}
 
-	bool Configure(const ConfigBlock &block, Error &error);
+	void Configure(const ConfigBlock &block);
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	virtual bool Open(Error &error) override;
-	virtual void Close() override;
-	virtual int GetVolume(Error &error) override;
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	void Open() override;
+	void Close() override;
+	int GetVolume() override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
 static constexpr Domain oss_mixer_domain("oss_mixer");
@@ -78,39 +81,27 @@ oss_find_mixer(const char *name)
 	return -1;
 }
 
-inline bool
-OssMixer::Configure(const ConfigBlock &block, Error &error)
+inline void
+OssMixer::Configure(const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	device = block.GetBlockValue("mixer_device", VOLUME_MIXER_OSS_DEFAULT);
 	control = block.GetBlockValue("mixer_control");
 
 	if (control != NULL) {
 		volume_control = oss_find_mixer(control);
-		if (volume_control < 0) {
-			error.Format(oss_mixer_domain, 0,
-				     "no such mixer control: %s", control);
-			return false;
-		}
+		if (volume_control < 0)
+			throw FormatRuntimeError("no such mixer control: %s",
+						 control);
 	} else
 		volume_control = SOUND_MIXER_PCM;
-
-	return true;
 }
 
 static Mixer *
 oss_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop, gcc_unused AudioOutput &ao,
 	       MixerListener &listener,
-	       const ConfigBlock &block,
-	       Error &error)
+	       const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
-	OssMixer *om = new OssMixer(listener);
-
-	if (!om->Configure(block, error)) {
-		delete om;
-		return nullptr;
-	}
-
-	return om;
+	return new OssMixer(listener, block);
 }
 
 void
@@ -121,38 +112,32 @@ OssMixer::Close()
 	close(device_fd);
 }
 
-bool
-OssMixer::Open(Error &error)
+void
+OssMixer::Open()
 {
 	device_fd = open_cloexec(device, O_RDONLY, 0);
-	if (device_fd < 0) {
-		error.FormatErrno("failed to open %s", device);
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (device_fd < 0)
+		throw FormatErrno("failed to open %s", device);
 
-	if (control) {
-		int devmask = 0;
+	try {
+		if (control) {
+			int devmask = 0;
 
-		if (ioctl(device_fd, SOUND_MIXER_READ_DEVMASK, &devmask) < 0) {
-			error.SetErrno("READ_DEVMASK failed");
-			Close();
-			return false;
-		}
-
-		if (((1 << volume_control) & devmask) == 0) {
-			error.Format(oss_mixer_domain, 0,
-				     "mixer control \"%s\" not usable",
-				     control);
-			Close();
-			return false;
+			if (ioctl(device_fd, SOUND_MIXER_READ_DEVMASK, &devmask) < 0)
+				throw MakeErrno("READ_DEVMASK failed");
+
+			if (((1 << volume_control) & devmask) == 0)
+				throw FormatErrno("mixer control \"%s\" not usable",
+						  control);
 		}
+	} catch (...) {
+		Close();
+		throw;
 	}
-
-	return true;
 }
 
 int
-OssMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
+OssMixer::GetVolume()
 {
 	int left, right, level;
 	int ret;
@@ -160,10 +145,8 @@ OssMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
 	assert(device_fd >= 0);
 
 	ret = ioctl(device_fd, MIXER_READ(volume_control), &level);
-	if (ret < 0) {
-		error.SetErrno("failed to read OSS volume");
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (ret < 0)
+		throw MakeErrno("failed to read OSS volume");
 
 	left = level & 0xff;
 	right = (level & 0xff00) >> 8;
@@ -177,24 +160,18 @@ OssMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
 	return left;
 }
 
-bool
-OssMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error)
+void
+OssMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume)
 {
 	int level;
-	int ret;
 
 	assert(device_fd >= 0);
 	assert(volume <= 100);
 
 	level = (volume << 8) + volume;
 
-	ret = ioctl(device_fd, MIXER_WRITE(volume_control), &level);
-	if (ret < 0) {
-		error.SetErrno("failed to set OSS volume");
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	return true;
+	if (ioctl(device_fd, MIXER_WRITE(volume_control), &level) < 0)
+		throw MakeErrno("failed to set OSS volume");
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin oss_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/PulseMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/PulseMixerPlugin.cxx
index efdcf43fd..ed9c93b9d 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/PulseMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/PulseMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -25,13 +25,14 @@
 #include "mixer/MixerInternal.hxx"
 #include "mixer/Listener.hxx"
 #include "output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 
 #include <pulse/context.h>
 #include <pulse/introspect.h>
 #include <pulse/stream.h>
 #include <pulse/subscribe.h>
 
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <assert.h>
 
 class PulseMixer final : public Mixer {
@@ -52,18 +53,17 @@ public:
 	void Offline();
 	void VolumeCallback(const pa_sink_input_info *i, int eol);
 	void Update(pa_context *context, pa_stream *stream);
-	int GetVolumeInternal(Error &error);
+	int GetVolumeInternal();
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	bool Open(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
-		return true;
+	void Open() override {
 	}
 
 	void Close() override {
 	}
 
-	int GetVolume(Error &error) override;
-	bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	int GetVolume() override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
 void
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ PulseMixer::VolumeCallback(const pa_sink_input_info *i, int eol)
 	online = true;
 	volume = i->volume;
 
-	listener.OnMixerVolumeChanged(*this, GetVolumeInternal(IgnoreError()));
+	listener.OnMixerVolumeChanged(*this, GetVolumeInternal());
 }
 
 /**
@@ -163,8 +163,7 @@ pulse_mixer_on_change(PulseMixer &pm,
 static Mixer *
 pulse_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 		 MixerListener &listener,
-		 gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block,
-		 gcc_unused Error &error)
+		 gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	PulseOutput &po = (PulseOutput &)ao;
 	PulseMixer *pm = new PulseMixer(po, listener);
@@ -180,42 +179,37 @@ PulseMixer::~PulseMixer()
 }
 
 int
-PulseMixer::GetVolume(gcc_unused Error &error)
+PulseMixer::GetVolume()
 {
 	Pulse::LockGuard lock(pulse_output_get_mainloop(output));
 
-	return GetVolumeInternal(error);
+	return GetVolumeInternal();
 }
 
 /**
  * Pulse mainloop lock must be held by caller
  */
 int
-PulseMixer::GetVolumeInternal(gcc_unused Error &error)
+PulseMixer::GetVolumeInternal()
 {
 	return online ?
 		(int)((100 * (pa_cvolume_avg(&volume) + 1)) / PA_VOLUME_NORM)
 		: -1;
 }
 
-bool
-PulseMixer::SetVolume(unsigned new_volume, Error &error)
+void
+PulseMixer::SetVolume(unsigned new_volume)
 {
 	Pulse::LockGuard lock(pulse_output_get_mainloop(output));
 
-	if (!online) {
-		error.Set(pulse_domain, "disconnected");
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (!online)
+		throw std::runtime_error("disconnected");
 
 	struct pa_cvolume cvolume;
 	pa_cvolume_set(&cvolume, volume.channels,
 		       (new_volume * PA_VOLUME_NORM + 50) / 100);
-	bool success = pulse_output_set_volume(output, &cvolume, error);
-	if (success)
-		volume = cvolume;
-
-	return success;
+	pulse_output_set_volume(output, &cvolume);
+	volume = cvolume;
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin pulse_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/RoarMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/RoarMixerPlugin.cxx
index e7bff4baa..198cce1b4 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/RoarMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/RoarMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -34,36 +34,34 @@ public:
 		 self(_output) {}
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	virtual bool Open(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
-		return true;
+	void Open() override {
 	}
 
 	virtual void Close() override {
 	}
 
-	virtual int GetVolume(Error &error) override;
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	int GetVolume() override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
 static Mixer *
 roar_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 		MixerListener &listener,
-		gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block,
-		gcc_unused Error &error)
+		gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	return new RoarMixer((RoarOutput &)ao, listener);
 }
 
 int
-RoarMixer::GetVolume(gcc_unused Error &error)
+RoarMixer::GetVolume()
 {
 	return roar_output_get_volume(self);
 }
 
-bool
-RoarMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume, gcc_unused Error &error)
+void
+RoarMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume)
 {
-	return roar_output_set_volume(self, volume);
+	roar_output_set_volume(self, volume);
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin roar_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/SoftwareMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/SoftwareMixerPlugin.cxx
index ddda07b70..fbb2b3cd0 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/SoftwareMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/SoftwareMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "filter/plugins/VolumeFilterPlugin.hxx"
 #include "pcm/Volume.hxx"
 #include "config/Block.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
 
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <math.h>
@@ -48,26 +47,24 @@ public:
 	void SetFilter(Filter *_filter);
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	virtual bool Open(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
-		return true;
+	void Open() override {
 	}
 
 	virtual void Close() override {
 	}
 
-	virtual int GetVolume(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
+	int GetVolume() override {
 		return volume;
 	}
 
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
 static Mixer *
 software_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop,
 		    gcc_unused AudioOutput &ao,
 		    MixerListener &listener,
-		    gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block,
-		    gcc_unused Error &error)
+		    gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	return new SoftwareMixer(listener);
 }
@@ -87,8 +84,8 @@ PercentVolumeToSoftwareVolume(unsigned volume)
 		return 0;
 }
 
-bool
-SoftwareMixer::SetVolume(unsigned new_volume, gcc_unused Error &error)
+void
+SoftwareMixer::SetVolume(unsigned new_volume)
 {
 	assert(new_volume <= 100);
 
@@ -96,7 +93,6 @@ SoftwareMixer::SetVolume(unsigned new_volume, gcc_unused Error &error)
 
 	if (filter != nullptr)
 		volume_filter_set(filter, PercentVolumeToSoftwareVolume(new_volume));
-	return true;
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin software_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/mixer/plugins/WinmmMixerPlugin.cxx b/src/mixer/plugins/WinmmMixerPlugin.cxx
index 794003bca..221627ab2 100644
--- a/src/mixer/plugins/WinmmMixerPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/mixer/plugins/WinmmMixerPlugin.cxx
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@
 #include "mixer/MixerInternal.hxx"
 #include "output/OutputAPI.hxx"
 #include "output/plugins/WinmmOutputPlugin.hxx"
-#include "util/Error.hxx"
-#include "util/Domain.hxx"
 
 #include <mmsystem.h>
 
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <windows.h>
@@ -40,19 +40,16 @@ public:
 	}
 
 	/* virtual methods from class Mixer */
-	virtual bool Open(gcc_unused Error &error) override {
-		return true;
+	void Open() override {
 	}
 
-	virtual void Close() override {
+	void Close() override {
 	}
 
-	virtual int GetVolume(Error &error) override;
-	virtual bool SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error) override;
+	int GetVolume() override;
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume) override;
 };
 
-static constexpr Domain winmm_mixer_domain("winmm_mixer");
-
 static inline int
 winmm_volume_decode(DWORD volume)
 {
@@ -69,40 +66,33 @@ winmm_volume_encode(int volume)
 static Mixer *
 winmm_mixer_init(gcc_unused EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 		 MixerListener &listener,
-		 gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block,
-		 gcc_unused Error &error)
+		 gcc_unused const ConfigBlock &block)
 {
 	return new WinmmMixer((WinmmOutput &)ao, listener);
 }
 
 int
-WinmmMixer::GetVolume(Error &error)
+WinmmMixer::GetVolume()
 {
 	DWORD volume;
 	HWAVEOUT handle = winmm_output_get_handle(output);
 	MMRESULT result = waveOutGetVolume(handle, &volume);
 
-	if (result != MMSYSERR_NOERROR) {
-		error.Set(winmm_mixer_domain, "Failed to get winmm volume");
-		return -1;
-	}
+	if (result != MMSYSERR_NOERROR)
+		throw std::runtime_error("Failed to get winmm volume");
 
 	return winmm_volume_decode(volume);
 }
 
-bool
-WinmmMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume, Error &error)
+void
+WinmmMixer::SetVolume(unsigned volume)
 {
 	DWORD value = winmm_volume_encode(volume);
 	HWAVEOUT handle = winmm_output_get_handle(output);
 	MMRESULT result = waveOutSetVolume(handle, value);
 
-	if (result != MMSYSERR_NOERROR) {
-		error.Set(winmm_mixer_domain, "Failed to set winmm volume");
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	return true;
+	if (result != MMSYSERR_NOERROR)
+		throw std::runtime_error("Failed to set winmm volume");
 }
 
 const MixerPlugin winmm_mixer_plugin = {
diff --git a/src/output/Init.cxx b/src/output/Init.cxx
index b592c8c01..225cb7a14 100644
--- a/src/output/Init.cxx
+++ b/src/output/Init.cxx
@@ -115,8 +115,7 @@ audio_output_load_mixer(EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 			const ConfigBlock &block,
 			const MixerPlugin *plugin,
 			PreparedFilter &filter_chain,
-			MixerListener &listener,
-			Error &error)
+			MixerListener &listener)
 {
 	Mixer *mixer;
 
@@ -127,20 +126,19 @@ audio_output_load_mixer(EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 
 	case MixerType::NULL_:
 		return mixer_new(event_loop, null_mixer_plugin, ao, listener,
-				 block, error);
+				 block);
 
 	case MixerType::HARDWARE:
 		if (plugin == nullptr)
 			return nullptr;
 
 		return mixer_new(event_loop, *plugin, ao, listener,
-				 block, error);
+				 block);
 
 	case MixerType::SOFTWARE:
 		mixer = mixer_new(event_loop, software_mixer_plugin, ao,
 				  listener,
-				  ConfigBlock(),
-				  IgnoreError());
+				  ConfigBlock());
 		assert(mixer != nullptr);
 
 		filter_chain_append(filter_chain, "software_mixer",
@@ -246,16 +244,16 @@ audio_output_setup(EventLoop &event_loop, AudioOutput &ao,
 
 	/* set up the mixer */
 
-	Error mixer_error;
-	ao.mixer = audio_output_load_mixer(event_loop, ao, block,
-					   ao.plugin.mixer_plugin,
-					   *ao.prepared_filter,
-					   mixer_listener,
-					   mixer_error);
-	if (ao.mixer == nullptr && mixer_error.IsDefined())
-		FormatError(mixer_error,
+	try {
+		ao.mixer = audio_output_load_mixer(event_loop, ao, block,
+						   ao.plugin.mixer_plugin,
+						   *ao.prepared_filter,
+						   mixer_listener);
+	} catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+		FormatError(e,
 			    "Failed to initialize hardware mixer for '%s'",
 			    ao.name);
+	}
 
 	/* use the hardware mixer for replay gain? */
 
diff --git a/src/output/OutputControl.cxx b/src/output/OutputControl.cxx
index 090db35d9..4b90333f8 100644
--- a/src/output/OutputControl.cxx
+++ b/src/output/OutputControl.cxx
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #include "util/Error.hxx"
 #include "Log.hxx"
 
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <assert.h>
 
 /** after a failure, wait this number of seconds before
@@ -145,10 +147,11 @@ AudioOutput::Open(const AudioFormat audio_format, const MusicPipe &mp)
 	const bool open2 = open;
 
 	if (open2 && mixer != nullptr) {
-		Error error;
-		if (!mixer_open(mixer, error))
-			FormatWarning(output_domain,
-				      "Failed to open mixer for '%s'", name);
+		try {
+			mixer_open(mixer);
+		} catch (const std::runtime_error &e) {
+			FormatError(e, "Failed to open mixer for '%s'", name);
+		}
 	}
 
 	return open2;
diff --git a/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.cxx b/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.cxx
index 748eff636..d8b0003e8 100644
--- a/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.cxx
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
 #include <pulse/subscribe.h>
 #include <pulse/version.h>
 
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stddef.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ public:
 		mixer = nullptr;
 	}
 
-	bool SetVolume(const pa_cvolume &volume, Error &error);
+	void SetVolume(const pa_cvolume &volume);
 
 	struct pa_threaded_mainloop *GetMainloop() {
 		return mainloop;
@@ -217,34 +219,27 @@ pulse_output_clear_mixer(PulseOutput &po, PulseMixer &pm)
 	po.ClearMixer(pm);
 }
 
-inline bool
-PulseOutput::SetVolume(const pa_cvolume &volume, Error &error)
+inline void
+PulseOutput::SetVolume(const pa_cvolume &volume)
 {
 	if (context == nullptr || stream == nullptr ||
-	    pa_stream_get_state(stream) != PA_STREAM_READY) {
-		error.Set(pulse_domain, "disconnected");
-		return false;
-	}
+	    pa_stream_get_state(stream) != PA_STREAM_READY)
+		throw std::runtime_error("disconnected");
 
 	pa_operation *o =
 		pa_context_set_sink_input_volume(context,
 						 pa_stream_get_index(stream),
 						 &volume, nullptr, nullptr);
-	if (o == nullptr) {
-		SetPulseError(error, context,
-			      "failed to set PulseAudio volume");
-		return false;
-	}
+	if (o == nullptr)
+		throw std::runtime_error("failed to set PulseAudio volume");
 
 	pa_operation_unref(o);
-	return true;
 }
 
-bool
-pulse_output_set_volume(PulseOutput &po, const pa_cvolume *volume,
-			Error &error)
+void
+pulse_output_set_volume(PulseOutput &po, const pa_cvolume *volume)
 {
-	return po.SetVolume(*volume, error);
+	return po.SetVolume(*volume);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.hxx b/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.hxx
index c25371b0e..c80ff85e3 100644
--- a/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.hxx
+++ b/src/output/plugins/PulseOutputPlugin.hxx
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ pulse_output_set_mixer(PulseOutput &po, PulseMixer &pm);
 void
 pulse_output_clear_mixer(PulseOutput &po, PulseMixer &pm);
 
-bool
-pulse_output_set_volume(PulseOutput &po,
-			const pa_cvolume *volume, Error &error);
+void
+pulse_output_set_volume(PulseOutput &po, const pa_cvolume *volume);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.cxx b/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.cxx
index 7ed0e95ac..072c29a6b 100644
--- a/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.cxx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "Log.hxx"
 
 #include <string>
+#include <stdexcept>
 
 /* libroar/services.h declares roar_service_stream::new - work around
    this C++ problem */
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ public:
 	void Cancel();
 
 	int GetVolume() const;
-	bool SetVolume(unsigned volume);
+	void SetVolume(unsigned volume);
 };
 
 static constexpr Domain roar_output_domain("roar_output");
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ RoarOutput::GetVolume() const
 	float l, r;
 	int error;
 	if (roar_vs_volume_get(vss, &l, &r, &error) < 0)
-		return -1;
+		throw std::runtime_error(roar_vs_strerr(error));
 
 	return (l + r) * 50;
 }
@@ -101,26 +102,26 @@ roar_output_get_volume(RoarOutput &roar)
 	return roar.GetVolume();
 }
 
-bool
+inline void
 RoarOutput::SetVolume(unsigned volume)
 {
 	assert(volume <= 100);
 
 	const ScopeLock protect(mutex);
 	if (vss == nullptr || !alive)
-		return false;
+		throw std::runtime_error("closed");
 
 	int error;
 	float level = volume / 100.0;
 
-	roar_vs_volume_mono(vss, level, &error);
-	return true;
+	if (roar_vs_volume_mono(vss, level, &error) < 0)
+		throw std::runtime_error(roar_vs_strerr(error));
 }
 
-bool
+void
 roar_output_set_volume(RoarOutput &roar, unsigned volume)
 {
-	return roar.SetVolume(volume);
+	roar.SetVolume(volume);
 }
 
 inline void
diff --git a/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.hxx b/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.hxx
index 6478f65f7..caf9ec373 100644
--- a/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.hxx
+++ b/src/output/plugins/RoarOutputPlugin.hxx
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ extern const struct AudioOutputPlugin roar_output_plugin;
 int
 roar_output_get_volume(RoarOutput &roar);
 
-bool
+void
 roar_output_set_volume(RoarOutput &roar, unsigned volume);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/test/read_mixer.cxx b/test/read_mixer.cxx
index 44e3f6b0d..ce45e863f 100644
--- a/test/read_mixer.cxx
+++ b/test/read_mixer.cxx
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ filter_plugin_by_name(gcc_unused const char *name)
 }
 
 int main(int argc, gcc_unused char **argv)
-{
+try {
 	int volume;
 
 	if (argc != 2) {
@@ -51,36 +51,27 @@ int main(int argc, gcc_unused char **argv)
 
 	EventLoop event_loop;
 
-	Error error;
 	Mixer *mixer = mixer_new(event_loop, alsa_mixer_plugin,
 				 *(AudioOutput *)nullptr,
 				 *(MixerListener *)nullptr,
-				 ConfigBlock(), error);
-	if (mixer == NULL) {
-		LogError(error, "mixer_new() failed");
-		return EXIT_FAILURE;
-	}
+				 ConfigBlock());
 
-	if (!mixer_open(mixer, error)) {
-		mixer_free(mixer);
-		LogError(error, "failed to open the mixer");
-		return EXIT_FAILURE;
-	}
+	mixer_open(mixer);
 
-	volume = mixer_get_volume(mixer, error);
+	volume = mixer_get_volume(mixer);
 	mixer_close(mixer);
 	mixer_free(mixer);
 
 	assert(volume >= -1 && volume <= 100);
 
 	if (volume < 0) {
-		if (error.IsDefined()) {
-			LogError(error, "failed to read volume");
-		} else
-			fprintf(stderr, "failed to read volume\n");
+		fprintf(stderr, "failed to read volume\n");
 		return EXIT_FAILURE;
 	}
 
 	printf("%d\n", volume);
 	return 0;
+} catch (const std::exception &e) {
+	LogError(e);
+	return EXIT_FAILURE;
 }
diff --git a/test/run_filter.cxx b/test/run_filter.cxx
index f920008aa..91f29ac8e 100644
--- a/test/run_filter.cxx
+++ b/test/run_filter.cxx
@@ -41,11 +41,10 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 
-bool
+void
 mixer_set_volume(gcc_unused Mixer *mixer,
-		 gcc_unused unsigned volume, gcc_unused Error &error)
+		 gcc_unused unsigned volume)
 {
-	return true;
 }
 
 static PreparedFilter *