[bigshot]

I've had hot mastered tracks go into clipping when I made compressed files off of them. Perhaps that's the problem.

 

[jda300]

Had the crackling in FLAC files downloaded from Bandcamp (so I figured it wasn't a problem with the source) and I've experienced this before with FLAC files but never took the time to figure out what was wrong. For me changing the latency/cache settings in VLC fixed it! Pretty silly that the default setting can't handle FLAC files though. Thanks for the tip.

 

[gr34td3str0y3r]

I was noticing some crackling in some FLAC files in VLC. When I ran them in Foobar I didn't hear the crackles. 
 
Some recordings are also just not very good. Doesnt matter if they are flac or not. I am learning that the hard way and I am little disappointed with some of my favorite artists now that I am running audiophile cans and a transparent set up. 

 

[bigshot]

If there is noise in one player and clean in another, the problem is the crackly player, not the files.

 

[exsomnis]

I've also had crackling due to dodgy USB ports that my DACs are connected to - especially on well used PCs with well used USB ports. 
 
With Foobar, it's also down to how well the system cooperates with ASIO / WASAPI and the DAC OS drivers. 

 

[gr34td3str0y3r]

  If there is noise in one player and clean in another, the problem is the crackly player, not the files.

yeah. someone mentioned I should try a fresh install of VLC. It doenst bother me much. I have been using foobar for a few days now and really like it, but still watch all my video on VLC. and audio now a days on ripped video is pretty horrible. That is where these rippers are able to shave away a lot. 
 

  I've also had crackling due to dodgy USB ports that my DACs are connected to - especially on well used PCs with well used USB ports. 
 
With Foobar, it's also down to how well the system cooperates with ASIO / WASAPI and the DAC OS drivers. 
 

no dougbt. I have a USB extension cord. that I have had for probably 10 years. It works just find for anything else I have used it for. 
I got my ODAC home, wanted it close to me, since my PC is bit away from me. I plug it into this exntestion cord. Yikes! 
It was unlistanble to. I pluged the DAC straight into the USB port on the PC. crystal clear.
bad cable, old cables, old connectors, probably even old Mother boards and PCs.