Sound crackling.

[Narcotic]

So about a month ago I switched up my audio out cable. I was using a standard 3.5mm audio cable for simplicity, but decided to take full advantage of my headset and switched to using the fiber optic for high definition surround sound. When I'm on the high definition channel (Realtek Digital Output), I get awful crackling sound during audio and sometimes during load times, whether sound is involved or not.

 

Yes, I have googled this concern and got tons of results; from the updating/reinstalling the driver, checking "Disable all sound effects" in the Enhancements tab, and watching my latency for possible disruption.

None of the aforementioned remedies worked. I have concluded that it very well could be my fiber optic cable itself, being that when I move it the crackling gets worse and sometimes better. 

 

 

Before you comment "You solved your own problem, why are you posting here," there's more to it. 

-Sometimes the crackling is worse than other times.

Example, I can't listen to any music right now because the crackling is unbearable.

About 20 minutes ago I was listening to music 100%, as if nothing was of error.

Sometimes the sound gets better, after having it on for an hour or so.

 

 ;;The only thing that changed between now and 20 minutes ago, is that my computer went to sleep. 

 

So if my cable was indeed at fault - why does it sometimes get really bad, sometimes it's fine, and sometimes it gets better?

Is it that the drivers have to reload, since the computer went into sleep mode? - if so, why does the cable effect it?

 

I suppose I'm looking for the science behind fiber optic cables (can the signal "buffer" per se, or strengthen as it travels?).

 

Thanks, 

    Narcotic

[bp9801]

So the crackling only came about after changing from analog to digital, right? Do you happen to have another optical cable to test with to see if it is the cable?

 

There could also be some kind of interference from the PCIe slots, since those can cause problems with sound every so often. Always thought that was more for a PCI/PCIe sound card, so could be interference from something else. Or just simply a bad cable.

[potatochobit]

normally this is caused by drivers or ground loop noise

did you recently install new drivers? always install as admin

 

its easy to tell, try a different method for output

stop using the cable and use some regular speakers that plug into the sound card or motherboard

also use headphones directly into the computer, do you still hear crackling?

 

it may not even be your computer

it could be whatever amp thing you plugged it into

what exactly is it and how old

Edited September 17, 2015 by potatochobit

[Narcotic]

So the crackling only came about after changing from analog to digital, right? Do you happen to have another optical cable to test with to see if it is the cable?

 

There could also be some kind of interference from the PCIe slots, since those can cause problems with sound every so often. Always thought that was more for a PCI/PCIe sound card, so could be interference from something else. Or just simply a bad cable.

 

My motherboard is the ASRock 990FX Extreme3, the optical port is built into the mobo - unless that still applies?

 

I do have one around, and some pretty decent ones in the 4k. I'll grab them tomorrow to try it out. (I've just been lazy tbh).

 

Hm so are you saying when the GPU is running, since it's the only PCIe device I have, will interfere with the optical port? 

 

Right now it's running completely fine - not a single crackle. If I let my computer go to sleep and come back it'll be screwy.

[Narcotic]

normally this is caused by drivers or ground loop noise

did you recently install new drivers? always install as admin

 

its easy to tell, try a different method for output

stop using the cable and use some regular speakers that plug into the sound card or motherboard

also use headphones directly into the computer, do you still hear crackling?

 

it may not even be your computer

it could be whatever amp thing you plugged it into

what exactly is it and how old

My current drivers are the version Realtek's site says is current.

Realtek's drivers kind of confuse me because they package Realtek HD Audio Manager with the driver.

 

I'm using Astro A40s if there's any relevance - I've plugged in directly with the headset, works fine. I've also tried using it through the TX, and that works fine as well.

[potatochobit]

I see

it could be the motherboard powering on and adjusting the volume output which is causing the crackles

or whatever amp you are using is picking up noise it shouldnt

you can try a new cable they are like 4$

the cable should have caps on the end, if it is old and the caps were opened it could be dirty inside

 

keep in mind, if the cable was bad, sound would be distorted all the time, not just at "no volume" 

when you listen to music does it crackle? 

you may have to live with the noise or try another option

I recently switched to HDMI audio out PCM

after u get a new cable post back if u still have problems

[bp9801]

 

So the crackling only came about after changing from analog to digital, right? Do you happen to have another optical cable to test with to see if it is the cable?

 

There could also be some kind of interference from the PCIe slots, since those can cause problems with sound every so often. Always thought that was more for a PCI/PCIe sound card, so could be interference from something else. Or just simply a bad cable.

 

My motherboard is the ASRock 990FX Extreme3, the optical port is built into the mobo - unless that still applies?

 

I do have one around, and some pretty decent ones in the 4k. I'll grab them tomorrow to try it out. (I've just been lazy tbh).

 

Hm so are you saying when the GPU is running, since it's the only PCIe device I have, will interfere with the optical port? 

 

Right now it's running completely fine - not a single crackle. If I let my computer go to sleep and come back it'll be screwy.

 

 

Nah, the PCIe was really only for another card. Something along the lines would cause an issue. Since it's onboard audio, wouldn't really affect it. Optical isn't affected by grounding or RF interference, but something could be affecting the audio chip or even speakers.

 

I'm still leaning towards a faulty cable. Most are plastic optical fiber cables, which can be damaged if the cable was tightly wound, bending the fibers inside.

 

What setup are you running the whole thing on?