Need help on fixing popping noises from USB DAC

[thassaf]

I received the original Ifi zen stack today and noticed random popping/cracking noises from time to time while listening music. I use Tidal and Foobar2k on my laptop.
Then I removed the Zen Can but the issue remained with just the DAC. Powering through USB or external power supply made no difference as well. Tried V5.12 driver or the latest V5.57 driver and all the 7.20 firmware, no difference.
I realized it's possible that the issue was not from Ifi so I connected my Fiio btr15 to my laptop the first time and the noises were there too.
So my laptop is the problem (although everything is fine through the 3.5 jack). It's a fairly new Lenovo IdeaPad flex 5 with windows 11. These were other steps I have tried: •Disabled all APOs and AMD audio devices through device mamager •Updated Bios •Updated AMD drivers
None worked. I'm really in need to fix this issue, thanks in advance to whoever has experience in this.

 

[theveterans]

Turn off Exclusive mode and just use WASAPI Push. See if that helps

 

[dunring]

Go to device manager and under USB ports and hubs, uncheck the power management box for any that have it.
Also if you find out which chipset you have, download the USB drivers from the manufacturer. Windows will update all the time but often causes problems with USB audio unless you manually update those drivers.

 

[thassaf]

Go to device manager and under USB ports and hubs, uncheck the power management box for any that have it.
Also if you find out which chipset you have, download the USB drivers from the manufacturer. Windows will update all the time but often causes problems with USB audio unless you manually update those drivers.

Hi I´ve disabled power management on USB ports and reinstalled my AMD chips but it didn´t work. I also installed LatancyMon and found the source of the issue is ACPI.sys:

Is there anything I could try to optimize DPC routine caused by this or there are external devices (like a USB hub) could block the noises maybe?

 

[Roseval]

The noises are due to buffer under-run. A hub won't solve this.

 

[thassaf]

The noises are due to buffer under-run. A hub won't solve this.

So it's a system issue instead of hardware? If it won't happen on Linux then I'm open to switch because it looks impossible to fix for now. From what I have searched the seemingly best solution is changing to ultimate power plan, which is unavailable due to modern standby on the laptop. To disable it I have to enter advanced bios setting, but I've been failing to get access to it also people says it could potentially brick the system.

 

[BS5711]

I have had a similar problem with the Tidal app on PC, Android and iPhone to DACs different DACs several of which were iFi.

I would get pops and clicks at the start of tracks.

I don’t know what was going on but the common theme seemed to be Tidal. I also use Apple Music and there was no issue.

I gave up on Tidal for reasons unrelated to this issue and replaced it with Qobuz, no clicks and pops.

 

[thassaf]

I have had a similar problem with the Tidal app on PC, Android and iPhone to DACs different DACs several of which were iFi.

I would get pops and clicks at the start of tracks.

I don’t know what was going on but the common theme seemed to be Tidal. I also use Apple Music and there was no issue.

I gave up on Tidal for reasons unrelated to this issue and replaced it with Qobuz, no clicks and pops.

Maybe it's something with the sample rate setting in your case? I have no issue with Tidal on my Android.

 

[BS5711]

Maybe it's something with the sample rate setting in your case? I have no issue with Tidal on my Android.

It was worst on change of sample rate on all sources but that wasn’t the only time the noises would happen.

I have not used my iFi Diablo with Qobuz on Windows 11 but did just now. That resulted in a squelchy noise at a sample rate change and occasional very minor pops as well as a generally “dirty” sound. Latest iFi drivers installed.

Plug into iPhone 15 and clean sound with no noises at all.

Seems maybe a Windows and iFi thing ? A Schiit Modi is absolutely fine from Windows/Qobuz.

 

[thassaf]

It was worst on change of sample rate on all sources but that wasn’t the only time the noises would happen.

I have not used my iFi Diablo with Qobuz on Windows 11 but did just now. That resulted in a squelchy noise at a sample rate change and occasional very minor pops as well as a generally “dirty” sound. Latest iFi drivers installed.

Plug into iPhone 15 and clean sound with no noises at all.

Seems maybe a Windows and iFi thing ? A Schiit Modi is absolutely fine from Windows/Qobuz.

You could try download LatencyMon and run a diagnosis. The pops are happening both on my Ifi and Fiio dac so definitely a Windows issue for me.

 

[thassaf]

So I did switch to Linux mint and there's zero audio issue with this system.