Windows can be weird at times, and Equalizer APO has its own problems, if even after then service fix the audio is not quite right, shutdown and unplug the computer from power for 4+ hours.
I have had odd issues with both my older ALC 889 and newer ALC 1220, the same issue. After the change to the service and full power off, all should work correctly, always.
The strange part is the APO are using set codes, and don't vary in a way that Windows decides to behave, never managed to find the direct cause.
As a side note I have seen some games telling the user in FAQ's-other, to do a full shutdown to fix a graphics issue (ever noticed a flash frame of something else you did earlier?).
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Q: What does the Service fix do?
A: Adds dependencies to both DTS and Realtek services, and sets the Windows audio engine to manual start, causing the services to start the engine.
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I have uploaded a lightly modified
S1220A policy. Added
Test files, I use E-APO to upmix stereo to 5.1 only.
View attachment 286821
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Here is a way to imagine audio loss, lets pretend MP3 was 7-Zip or WinRAR, and we compressed an 8K Ultra Definition image into MP3.
If we then uncompress the image, we would see missing pixels, maybe odd or washy colours, other artefacts.
Its easier to notice missing parts of an image more than detecting audio change in many cases.
The minimum I suggest for lossy encoders is 250kbps per channel, 500kbps stereo. 6 x 250kbps = 1.5mbps (DTS).
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1600-2000kbps area for stereo FLAC.
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Extra note, If you use SPDIF with the Microsoft driver, which will be 2 channel PCM, you can get random noises and fizzing, silly Microsoft.
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Here is my TOSLink cable that I purchased about 10+ years ago, when I had the Z-5500 system. Its rated to 125mbps.
Visibly we can see its near enough as thick as a USB and/or DisplayPort cable, which is interesting.
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