Rough/scratchy audio --> Amplification level [FIX/WORKAROUND]

[leyabe]

Another update, latest version of the Realtek driver from the Windows Update Catalog does not have the issue.
Driver version is 6.0.1.8346 and I got it from here https://www.tenforums.com/drivers-ha...r-version.html
(which links to the Windows Update Catalog).

This version does install fine, does have the "SupremeFX" control panel, and the Amplification level does survive a reboot.
I just find it weird that this driver is not offered on ASUS's support page, and isn't even listed on Realtek's website either.

[QSD929]

I installed version 6.0.1.8318 from that link without uninstalling my previous version (8.0.1.8273 on a Maximus X Code) beforehand and after the initial please wait message it said some file couldn't be found. After that it closed and nothing else happened. I rebooted and still have the SupremeFX setup, and it says I'm running 6.0.1.8318. I set my amplify level to performace (as someone noted before it's spelled wrong) and rebooted a couple times, it did stick. I listened to some music and videos, it sounds like it's on performance.

Anyone know what the impedance range is for the 3 amplify settings? My headphones are rated for 32 ohms and every time I plug them in, front or back, impedance detection states they are higher than 110 ohms and sets it to extreme. This is definitely not the case as listening to anything on extreme is painful with this headset. I'm just assuming performance is good for 32 ohms but can't definitively tell since there is no description.

[elmor]

Can someone the official version 6.0.1.8339 installs ok and has the amplification setting fixed? https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/RO...Desk_Download/

[leyabe]

Can someone the official version 6.0.1.8339 installs ok and has the amplification setting fixed? https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/RO...Desk_Download/

Thanks elmor, I confirm that the issue is fixed in the version 6.0.1.8339 that you linked.

To clarify, I still get the "scratchy" audio at the "Extreme" amplification setting starting between 70 to 80% volume (below 70% the sound is crystal clear even at "Extreme"). But at least the amplification setting will stick after rebooting now.

Thanks again!

[EtoEgor]

I need a fix for z370-g gaming too!

[klepp0906]

same issue on z370 maximus x formula.

been through a plethora of drivers. they default to "performace" (engrish) when i have my headset set to stereo, but the minute i change it to 7.1 it defaults to extreme. Extreme sounds better in general, but changing the volume knob on my headset (razer tiamat 7.1 v2) i can hear feedback through the headset. Or in retroarch when navigating the menu at extreme i get crackles with the navigation click sound.

same as the distortion in the windows cancel sound effect thing.

everywhere else its fine more or less.

someone said realtek is blaming it on M$ interrupts or some such? has anyone tried changing to MSI using MSI mode utility? it would need to be re-done every time you update your drivers which is a pain, and if it alleviated it one would question why its not the default.

of all my drivers only 2 dont use MSI, nvidias gpu driver, and realteks audio driver. the rest all do.

[EviLFazZ]

Exact same issue here since I first got my (crappy low budget ...) ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha way back in March 2020 and the drivers have not changed or been updated since.

My only work around is setting this 'so called' high end motherboard to the lower audio quality and then it is stable/works, anything sends ear-deafing noise to all ports front and rear (depending which ever is enabled at the time of changing and starting ANY audio, films, music, web based, games, etc)

I have requested help from Asus directly a few times now and the only thing they keep saying, is send the board for RMA. Great, so I loose my build for a year, whilst they possibly figure out, pay £££GBP's to send from the UK to some distant international address (last time was the US), whilst having costly parts just sit here do nothing and we all know, it is not hardware, it is software based, as this is not the first time this happened (all their Threadrippers boards have suffered the same until they did 'something' about it)

20+ years with Asus and I seriously regret the last 3 years of wasting my time and (huge amounts of) money with them and their zero support for such basic things

[menaquinone]

Can someone the official version 6.0.1.8339 installs ok and has the amplification setting fixed? https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/RO...Desk_Download/

Thank you for this link, I can confirm that the driver(for Windows 7 64bit, which is what I've tested and run) from that url (for mobo ROG ZENITH EXTREME) works for me, even though I've a different mobo(ASUS Prime Z370-A).

To be more specific, the Amplify Level is now correctly detected as under 51 Ohms and thus set to Performance(it's "Performace" aka typo is still not fixed) and it also sticks(ie. if I set it to Powerful, it remains as such after reboot!). So even if I unplug and plug again(aka replug) the keyboard jack(my headphones/earbuds are plugged into the keyboard, and the keyboard is (re)plugged into the PC in the back, in this case) it will still properly detect it as under 51Ohms with this updated driver and set it to "Performace". The driver being, (for mobo ROG ZENITH EXTREME), as follows:

Version 6.0.1.8746 2019/12/03
686.47 MBytes
Realtek Audio Driver
Updated User Account Control verification mechanism to match the revised requirements of the kb4524147 hotfix

sha256: 364d2c3b51eb729a286686f5c0f37b59b532f3e822db08f87f 007f95ad535616
filename: V8746_WHQL_191203_SS3.6.45_FF03_WIN7_19H1.zip

If someone could place that updated driver into the Prime Z370-A downloads, aka here: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards...Desk_Download/ that would be nice.
Because the one from there(currently) is:

Version 6.0.1.8199 2017/09/04
738.83 MBytes
Realtek Audio Driver V6.0.1.8199 for Windows 7 64bit &Windows 10 64-bit---(WHQL).
sha256: 50b7989300b1e876e22aa6a2adc6d3695ae79dc0f4e6d02799 0d0fdf1c7e8233
filename: Realtek_AudioDriver_Win10_V6018199_20170904.zip

and with this one I get equal or higher than 110 ohm detection, and thus set to Extreme which distorts the sound (no crack or pops, but it's too amplified hence distorted) and this happens when I replug too, and also after I reboot the setting won't stick to what I set it! All fixed, as mentioned above with the ROG ZENITH EXTREME audio driver (aka the newer driver).

Here's screenshots with this old/faulty driver:



Here's screenshots with the new/working ROG ZENITH EXTREME audio driver which does work on ASUS Prime Z370-A too(superficially tested though):
2 screens from first reboot, after install(AsusSetup.exe run, then rebooted manually):



2 more screens after clicking the green socket and setting from Speakers to Headphones:



Thanks all for making this happen!

[Swordmaster512]

I've got a Maximus XII Extreme motherboard and with latest drivers I'm experiencing the automatic Amplify level switching based on readings by the impedance sensor. Windows version is 2004. I've tried the drivers that seem to have helped other users, taking them from Zenith Extreme download page for Windows 10 (namely 8339 and 8746). With the first one I don't get any sound from headphones connected to front panel jack, with the second one nothing changes, unfortunately, compared to newest drivers: Realtek GUI keeps on switching Amplify level based on what the impedance sensor reads, values that are hardly different from the ones I get installing the most recent drivers. Anything special in the installation procedure I could have missed?

However, I'm confused, if this is normal behaviour why letting the user change manually a setting that will be reset every time he plug/unplug headphones?
If instead it is a bug/issue (and not a recent one, it seems!) it really sucks, especially after paying almost 1000 euros‚¬ for a so-called top-tier motherboard.

[Tux-box1]

I started a thread before finding this one, https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthrea...-volume-static
What I'm experincing is: at random timing my audio will go full valume static, it's very painful.
I thought the issue was with Nahimic, as this handles the Sonic Studio/Sonic Radar stuff. If I'm wrong on this let me know.
I moved my head set connections to the front, has anyone else tried the front audio connectors? For now I haven't run in to the issue but I've not had the time to verify.
I prefer to use the rear as that works best with my desk setup. Before anyone asks, my audio cables are shilded and routed specficly to aboid interferance and cross noize, the computer is on dedicated UPS(Pure Sine) by it's self and I get the same issue on line power, its the only thing on this circuit.