Topic: USB stutters and clicks [Solved] (Read 17679 times)

Barbie-boy · « **on:** February 11, 2011, 07:06:06 pm »

Oh no... running Media Jukebox 14 new pc does this, installed all new drivers but no change. Analogue out plays fine, but USB into my DAC is unpleasent to say the least. My old Pentium PC with the same hard drives and Arcam rDAC via USB played without a hitch on XP Home.

Kept old hard drives but have updated to:

Motherboard Gygabite GA-G41MT-D3
Intel Duo 3.0
2GB Ram 1300
Win 7 32bit
Media Jukebox 14

The motherboard's site makes no mention of USB drivers, and Win 7 system manager says all drivers are up to date.

So I am at a loss of what to do next. Any ideas please ?

Thanks

JimH · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:05:24 am »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 11, 2011, 07:06:06 pm

Oh no... running Media Jukebox 14 new pc does this, installed all new drivers but no change. Analogue out plays fine, but USB into my DAC is unpleasent to say the least. My old Pentium PC with the same hard drives and Arcam rDAC via USB played without a hitch on XP Home.

In my signature, there is a link called "Weird Problems". It has several pages and may give you some ideas.

Did you try the "DAC Settings" link on our Wiki?

Your old PC may have been using different drivers.

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:55:38 pm »

Thank you, I did have a good read through all the posts. Turning off the mobo's energy saving software has made a big difference, about 90% of clicks and bangs have gone.

As far as setting up the audio options in Jukebox I do not seem to have a great choice: Direct / Wave / CD writer. Only Wave works with this DAC. Where is WASPI etc ?

Thanks and feel that I am getting there.

JimH · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:59:53 pm »

WASAPI is only in MC (www.jriver.com).

But if you're making progress with tuning your machine, you may solve it yet.

Have you tried the manufacturer's site for a driver update?

A virus checker is always a strong possibility.

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:30:51 pm »

Quote from: JimH on February 12, 2011, 06:59:53 pm

WASAPI is only in MC (www.jriver.com).

But if you're making progress with tuning your machine, you may solve it yet.

Have you tried the manufacturer's site for a driver update?

A virus checker is always a strong possibility.

So that's where WASPI is hiding from me LOL. Ok, if I go for MC would there be a noticeable difference in sound quality do you think ?

This PC is a new build with all the latest drivers and running AVG anti virus, ok I will try turning this off and report back, thanks.

JimH · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:50:42 pm »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 12, 2011, 07:30:51 pm

So that's where WASPI is hiding from me LOL. Ok, if I go for MC would there be a noticeable difference in sound quality do you think ?

WASAPI or ASIO would clearly be better.

http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Audio_Output_Modes

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2011, 06:40:02 am »

Quote from: JimH on February 12, 2011, 07:50:42 pm

WASAPI or ASIO would clearly be better.

http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Audio_Output_Modes

Thanks, but as is, I don't have access to either at present..

DarkPenguin · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2011, 12:05:10 pm »

Try the demo.

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:35:24 pm »

Quote from: DarkPenguin on February 13, 2011, 12:05:10 pm

Try the demo.

Yes will do, I am holding off until I receive the COAX out header which I have ordered for my mobo.

Meanwhile have tried running some freeware latency programmes which pinpoint sound problems:

http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml

Indeed both reported that I have sound glitch problems, was hoping to be led directly to the troublesome driver, but not in this case..

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2011, 05:34:10 am »

Ok I got it.
It's a windows 7 glitch and explains why my old PC was fine as it ran on XP.....

So go into control panel and set the power options to show additional plans and select High Performance.

Next, choose Never for when the PC goes to sleep.

Then set your CPU to allow background processing.

Worked a treat for me, and I would like to thank Matthew Neighbour at Arcam for pointing me in the right direction.

Happy listening

nwboater · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:52:53 am »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 20, 2011, 05:34:10 am

Ok I got it.
It's a windows 7 glitch and explains why my old PC was fine as it ran on XP.....

So go into control panel and set the power options to show additional plans and select High Performance.

Next, choose Never for when the PC goes to sleep.

Then set your CPU to allow background processing.

Worked a treat for me, and I would like to thank Matthew Neighbour at Arcam for pointing me in the right direction.

Happy listening

Thanks for the tips. In our Windows 7 Home 32 bit I couldn't find the setting to get the CPU to Allow Background Processing. Would you mind drilling me down through the menu selections please?

Thanks,
Rod

DarkPenguin · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:25:44 pm »

Have you considered trying an async usb cable? Assuming your DAC has a SPIDF input...

Isn't the big issue with windows 7 audio that the sound card drivers no longer live in kernel land? So more interrupts and delays...

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:51:48 pm »

Quote from: nwboater on February 20, 2011, 11:52:53 am

Thanks for the tips. In our Windows 7 Home 32 bit I couldn't find the setting to get the CPU to Allow Background Processing. Would you mind drilling me down through the menu selections please?

Thanks,
Rod

- In control panel select "system"
- Go to "Advanced system settings" and then the "Performance" tab
- Set processor scheduling as "Background Services"
- Click "Apply" then "OK"

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:13:37 pm »

Quote from: DarkPenguin on February 20, 2011, 12:25:44 pm

Have you considered trying an async usb cable? Assuming your DAC has a SPIDF input...

Isn't the big issue with windows 7 audio that the sound card drivers no longer live in kernel land? So more interrupts and delays...

The only one I had heard about is the M2Tech hiFace, rather pricey at $150.00... I however have on order the Coax header which plugs into my mobo so I can upsample and squirt 192/24 at my DAC that way. Via USB my DAC only goes up to 96/24.

BTW: I don't actually have any 192/24 files, but am told upsampling to that is the best way to go. Any thoughts ?

DarkPenguin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:38:17 pm »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 20, 2011, 01:13:37 pm

The only one I had heard about is the M2Tech hiFace, rather pricey at $150.00... I however have on order the Coax header which plugs into my mobo so I can upsample and squirt 192/24 at my DAC that way. Via USB my DAC only goes up to 96/24.

BTW: I don't actually have any 192/24 files, but am told upsampling to that is the best way to go. Any thoughts ?

Are you changing your source before you send the files to your DAC? I'm talking about the DSP stuff (volume, peak leveling, etc.) and not the upsampling.

If you are you should upsample. If you are not then I wouldn't bother.

nwboater · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:45:58 pm »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 20, 2011, 12:51:48 pm

- In control panel select "system"
- Go to "Advanced system settings" and then the "Performance" tab
- Set processor scheduling as "Background Services"
- Click "Apply" then "OK"

Thanks a lot. I had previously seen that one but didn't think it was the one you meant since it switched from Programs to Background Services. Anyway I've done it, so thanks for the drilldown.

Rod

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:21:38 pm »

Quote from: DarkPenguin on February 20, 2011, 01:38:17 pm

Are you changing your source before you send the files to your DAC? I'm talking about the DSP stuff (volume, peak leveling, etc.) and not the upsampling.

If you are you should upsample. If you are not then I wouldn't bother.

I have run analyse audio on all files, set Jukebox to find my usb DAC in the output, set to Direct Sound and to 96/24, then control the volume (set to internal) with a wireless mouse. Is that not right ?

Thanx

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:22:47 pm »

Quote from: nwboater on February 20, 2011, 01:45:58 pm

Thanks a lot. I had previously seen that one but didn't think it was the one you meant since it switched from Programs to Background Services. Anyway I've done it, so thanks for the drilldown.

Rod

Hey, you are welcome world citizen. All pops and bangs gone for you yet ?

nwboater · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:31:35 pm »

Quote from: Barbie-boy on February 20, 2011, 02:22:47 pm

Hey, you are welcome world citizen. All pops and bangs gone for you yet ?

Actually I didn't have any pops and bangs. Just want to have my HTPC optimized.

Hadn't noticed that I'm now a 'World Citizen'. Must be spending too much time here!

Thanks again,

Rod

Barbie-boy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2011, 01:15:22 pm »

There is an actual Microsoft hotfix for these audio problems in the form of a downloadable patch from their site. The tips I mentioned earlier worked for me so I haven't felt the need to go any further, at present anyway, might go for the patch later if things go wonky for me

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953228/en-us

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Author Topic: USB stutters and clicks [Solved] (Read 17679 times)