Optical sound TOSLINK issues - ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming Wifi

[Andrassy]

Good morning,

I have a ASUS ##ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming Wif for nearly a year now but until now I only used the analog sound outputs.
Now I got me an external DAC to improve my audio experience. Unfortunately the oprical connection isn't reliable.
It produces very frequent dropouts (between every 3 to 10s). 

I tried all sorts of settings and options the Realtek software provides. But to no avail.
I also tried different optical cables and cross checked the cables as well the DAC on other optical oudio sources. They are alle running perfectly.

I have the latest BIOS version 1501 and the latest Realtek USB Audio Driver VB6.3.9600.2342 on Windows 11.
It also doesn't matter whout sound source I choose. From Tidal Hifi, Youtube or Windows system sounds.

Can you please provide a fix or advice to get it runnin.
Otherwise I have to consider the optical output as probably defect.

[KylJoy]

I have the same issue with the Hive supplied with my Asus z790-I ITX motherboard.  I have tried 2 different Hive units (the store allowed me to swap my Hive for another one).  The TOSLINK seems to be non-functional on the Hive units.  I need a replacement that functions.  I have a ticket open with ASUS support.

[Wesley1]

Have you updated firmware for audio card? They are updated separately from BIOS, and there were two updates to USB sound card. It is listed in Firmware section under BIOS updates. Make sure to expand the list to see all items.

Audio ALC4080/ALC4082 FW update tool

- Fixed SPDIF playing music is noisy

[KylJoy]

The card is fully updated with the latest firmware.  This seems to be a hardware issue.  Asus tech support tells me it is a known issue.  I am waiting to get a working Hive.  It has been 3 weeks with no help so far.

[Andrassy]

Thanks for the advice. I checked that because I didn't remember to update the sound firmware specifically.
It turned out that it already had the latest firmware. So this brought no improvement.

[Saltgrass]

I have a Z790 and  Z590 (both Heroes) but the Optical output is being used on the Z590 for a Logitech speaker system which seems to be working fine, no sound dropouts.

What model DAC did you get?  Are you using a high quality optical cable?  This is trivial so probably not your current situation, but optical cables need to snap into the connector.  

I could change the Logitech speaker system to my Z790 for testing, if you think it might help.

[Andrassy]

I tried different cables. A cheaper (thin but short) one which I use on my TV receiver. And a more robust one of 5m length.
Both work fine with my DAC and a TV or a CD player as source. They do simply not work on the Z790.

[Saltgrass]

Have you gotten down to checking the audio format you are trying to listen to?  System sounds are normally .wav formats?  It seems that board does not have a DAC, so I will assume the digital bypasses any onboard audio components except possibly the amplifier.  If that is the case, it would appear your external DAC is in control.

Have you tried changing the audio quality on the system to see if that has any effect?  My system is currently outputting 2 channel 24bit, 48000 Hz quality.  My speaker system has decoders for the surround type audio.

[KylJoy]

I, also, have tried multiple different cables and equipment and that is irrelevant to this specific issue.  The hardware appears to be the issue.  I have tried two Hive units (the store traded my original for one out of a fresh motherboard).  Both will not maintain good connectivity to any 100% working attached device through any 100% working cable as proven on other equipment.