Asus motherboard/Realtek audio issue

[Turgon76]

So I recently bought a new computer from PC specialist, however when I put speakers/headphones into either the front or back audiojacks there was background crackerling (worse in the front). This is the same whether the volume is at 100 or mute.

I phoned PC specialist and they instructed me to reinstall the audio drivers and do various cable changes, but the problem persisted. They therefore took it back to inspect, but apparently didn’t detect the issue saying it was a hardware problem on my end. Granted I only have cheap headphones (3) and speakers (2) to try however I don’t have any issues when using any of them with my old PC, laptop and two mp3 players.

They sent it back and of course the problem was still there, so I rang them up again. This time they diagnosed it a conflict between the audio driver (realtek) and the asus motherboard. This was due to there being no background crackerling when the driver was uninstalled, though of course there was no sound anyway.

Is this a fair diagnosis as it does wash PCS’s hands of the issue, due to it being a software problem. I did find some other people who had similar issues though; “https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?74188-Z170-Pro-Gaming-audio-popping-(Realtek-issue)”.

If it is this does anyone know of a potential fix? Would buying a dedicated sound card fix the issue?
Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post.

Specs;
-Case: PCS ALPHA TRION 7622B BLACK CASE
-Processor: Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-6700k (4.0GHz)
-Motherboard: ASUS® Z170 PRO GAMING: ATX, LG1151
-RAM: 16GB HyperX FURY DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 8GB Kit)
-Graphics Card: 8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 480
-OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)

 

[1LiquidPC]

Possible you're getting sound kind of grounding or interference issue with your new PC vs. old. Since your speakers and headphones both work with your old system just fine, I don't see the problem being there. Any cables close to your audio cables in back? May want to try another outlet as well, though still an odd issue. A dedicated soundcard may be worth a shot after narrowing down everything else. You say it happens when muted? Also, it stops after drivers are uninstalled?

 

[dmmackay]

I would suggest that you have them demonstrate that the sound works with their Hardware- and Perhaps have them demonstrate it with your headphones and Speakers.

I think if it was a problem with your hardware- it would only occur if the Cable and Connector were being moved/not inserted completely/damaged etc.. /- Volume on the Hardware being Adjusted, etc....

It should not occur it they are still. (at least that's been my Experience with Speakers and Headphones)

If you have other hardware plugged into the Computer- maybe you could unplug it or turn it off and see if that makes a difference.

Sounds like a Sound Card with Issues to me- Perhaps they could install another Sound Card as you suggest and see if it resolves the problem.