2. pc-audio
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Severe short term audio distortion when watching Netflix

Hi all , I can't find a reason for this anywhere - so posting as widely as possible

My Setup

New Win 10 PC with Matrix Element H USB card - Sablon 2020 cable to May KTE DAC - handmade Silver XLR's to Hegel H390 to Dynaudio Heritage Specials

For the last 12 nights, while watching Netflix or Youtube - the audio is swamped by severe high pitched distortion for 3-4 seconds , then all returns to normal

This only happens once per night - between 7 -10PM. Only once, never during the day and only for 3-4 seconds - all was good for more than the last 12 months with this current setup

I have contacted my internet provider - all is good from their end - have checked with a speed test as soon as distortion starts and speed is normal

I have replaced the Ethernet cable

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the Holo Audio driver for my MAY KTE DAC - on a suggestion from Microsoft Support

I have rebooted  PC several times and switched off May DAC and unplugged power cord for 30 seconds

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated

Michael

 

128x128michaelparin
erik_squires
15,680 posts
 

Well, this could be a power station switching issue.  Call up your power company and ask them if they are doing anything at this time.  They often do not monitor power quality closely enough to tell when they have bad switching issues.

It sounds like your DAC is switching to the wrong sample rate or a similar problem.  This can happen if the power has been interrupted or it gets a surge from somewhere. 

Another source of a problem is a scheduled job on your PC that causes this, such as your anti-virus refreshing.  Check the logs and see when it last updated.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,652 posts
 

Has your electric utility recently installed a "smart meter?" Do you have a security system with wireless monitoring?

ddd1
261 posts
 

I would try watching your computer processes (Process Monitor?) and see what is running during the distortion.  If you have a way to substitute a laptop or old computer for the new one you may be able to rule out the computer completely.  But not the peripherals that are shared.

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