[Fafner88]

I'm experiencing audio stuttering with my USB DAC (E1DA PowerDAC V2.1). The stuttering though only happens on very quiet parts of the recordings, and as I recently discovered, only when the waveform looks off centered in audacity (like explained here: https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/dc_offset.html). It also turns out that youtube auto-generated tracks of the same recording that stutters when played from a flac rip don't stutter on youtube, and when I viewed the youtube audio on Audacity the waveform doesn't appear to be off-centered like the stuttering file.

Also, the stuttering is much reduced when I play music in exclusive mode in Foobar, though it doesn't go away completely. I have another USB DAC which doesn't have this issue, so I suspect it's not the fault of my pc hardware (I'm using Windows 10). I also tried different cables and different USB ports on my pc to no avail. Would appreciate any advice.

 

[NA Blur]

Check your windows sound settings and be sure to do the following:
Sound Settings -> Device Properties -> Additional Device Properties ->Advanced Tab

Make sure bitrate and bit depth are 16 bit and 48000hz ( DVD quality ).
Turn off Allow Application to exclusive control
Turn off Give Exclusive Mode Priority

Go to the Enhancements tab
Turn off any and all enhancements

Try a different USB port
Try a different USB cable

Try those fixes first and get back to us with any progress please.

 

[Fafner88]

Yes I tried all of your suggestions as I said in the post. Different USB ports or cables don't make a difference. The issue is less severe when I'm using exclusive mode like WASAPI (with disabled enhancements etc.) but it doesn't go away completely (the drop offs only become less frequent).

 

[Whitigir]

Is this a new devices ? If it isn’t, how old is it ?

 

[Fafner88]

Is this a new devices ? If it isn’t, how old is it ?

Yes, the device is new, been using it for like two months and it had the issue from the start.

 

[Whitigir]

Yes, the device is new, been using it for like two months and it had the issue from the start.

Then I would be concern about the devices build quality. The USB is a very delicate connection, if there is a bad solder joints, you will be having issues like crackling, pops, or stuttering

 

[NA Blur]

If there aren’t obvious signs of damage my next guess is a driver issue. Perhaps revert the driver if possible and try again.

 

[NA Blur]

Any luck?

 

[Fafner88]

Any luck?

No unfortunately, I already tried using different drivers.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Try increasing buffers on your player (app and/or device)

 

[Roseval]

A simple one is to check if your PC has a high DPC latency, if so this will explain the stutter.
https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

If you not only have WASAPI/Exclusive checked but also Priority for exclusive mode, DPC latency might be the culprit
https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/Windows/Win7/USBDAC.htm