Is there a fix to the illusive Windows 8+ USB DAC issues?

[mzry]

Hi everyone,
 
 
I have been searching extensively on forums all around the Inet (including headfi) for a fix to the odd USB DAC behavior in Windows 8+. I'm assuming most of you know about this, I cannot find a definitive fix.
 
The problem: When playing a song etc or anything that continuously transfers - the sound is great. But if I pause the track and click play, or if I skip through the song I will get sharp 'pops and clicks' for half a second before the music resumes. This happens in any app, even when playing youtube videos and pausing them or skipping through them. Another important indicator is if I open the volume control options and click 'left channel' or 'right channel' to test the output, the 'ding' sometimes doesn't get transmitted, or it comes through all crackly and stumbles over itself...
 
This is definitely a Windows issue because I also have Linux installed on my system which works perfectly. Silky smooth sound in Linux.
 
I'd rather not name the DAC in question as it might send the thread in the wrong direction, as I am 100% confident it has nothing to do with the DACs hardware (also proven through flawless Linux performance and further evidenced by many topics over the internet on this issue) I have also tested other DACs with the same results. The DAC is async.
 
The system: Z97 mobo, i7-4790 cpu, 16gb ddr3 memory, windows 8.1 64bit. Onboard sound disabled.
 
 
What I have tried: Every USB port on the system / Powered USB hubs / Different PSU's for the DAC / Different OS's - Linux being fine / Disabling onboard sound / Changing output quality to different settings studio dvd cd etc / tried the schiit registry edit which didn't work for me... and probably a few other things / Turned off USB power management.
 
 
Thanks, any advice appreciated.
 
 
 
 
 

 

[NA Blur]

3 things to try

1. Clear / delete temp files and cache

2. Turn off hardware acceleration

3. Incease buffer length / memory

Let me know if one of thoses fixed it for ya.

 

[mzry]

Thanks for the ideas: 1. I keep them clean all the time with CCleaner / 2. I don't think this option is available, AFAIK hardware accel was removed prior to windows vista / 3. I don't know how to increase the buffer size inside of windows or its drivers. Obviously I can increase the buffer size in foobar or some app, but it doesn't solve the overall problem which is system wide.

 

[NA Blur]

Control Panel --> System-->Advanced-->Performance-->Advanced Tab --> Change and enter a larger value

 

[NA Blur]

Control Panel --> System-->Advanced-->Performance-->Advanced Tab --> Change and enter a larger value
 
Have you been here yet?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/735135/usb-dac-troubles-in-windows-8-and-8-1-solution-inside

 

[NA Blur]

Have you tried uninstalling the USB driver and trying again?

 

[NA Blur]

I use a couple USB DACs with Win 10 and have had no major issues, but the driver support for Win 10 is not where it should be. I still get slight background noise from super cheap USB DACs on Win 10, but my Grace m903 is dead silent.

 

[NA Blur]

I use a couple USB DACs with Win 10 and have had no major issues, but the driver support for Win 10 is not where it should be. I still get slight background noise from super cheap USB DACs on Win 10, but my Grace m903 is dead silent.
 
I am not sure if the ASIO driver would help, but you may want to give it a try.
 
I am sure you have been down this road, but check Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Output and trying playing around with those settings.

 

[sterling1]

I use my pre/pros DAC for USB to S/PDIF, as well as AirPort Express S/PDIF to S/PDIF. No snap, crackle, or pop; plus,  background is so quite I can hear a pin drop. Never had your problem.

 

[mzry]

Increasing the virtual memory of the system doesn't change anything. Plus I have tried the schiit registry edit as suggested, no luck.

 

[mzry]

Here is an article about the issue for anyone who doesn't know:
 
https://www.thestreet.com/story/11762958/1/microsofts-windows-8-poses-audio-problems.html
 
"There's also mention of widespread audio problems as well. The Verge calls them "random muting and audio stuttering". But those audio problems are not confined to Surface tablets. They go a lot deeper. Actually, it's Microsoft's new Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems that are the culprits. In our testing, TheStreet found major problems with the way the new Windows OSes handle - or in this case mangle - digital audio."
 
"There are some known issues with external USB-Audio devices, including AudioQuest's DragonFly, and Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system on some hardware platforms, as well as tablets running the Windows RT, including occasional and/or consistent clicks and dropouts. Microsoft is aware of these issues and working toward a fix."