I get a sudden burst of static anytime a sound starts playing when I run sound through my Audiobox USB96. It happens every single time a sound begins to play, including e.g. pausing and resuming or skipping through a YouTube video, getting a Discord notification, and even the Windows notification sound for turning volume up and down.
I do not get any static or noise whatsoever at any other time. It's only when playback starts.
It happens at every Windows volume level. I can turn my volume down to 1 in the Windows audio mixer, and it'll still cause static bursts when playback starts. It's reduced (though not totally gone) if I turn the headphone dial way, way down on the Audiobox, but then it's difficult to hear anything on my PC. I have to have it turned down almost to 0 (probably around 2, though it isn't marked) on the Audiobox to get it to the point that the static isn't too noticeable, and then maxed volume in Windows isn't high enough.
I initially thought it was a lack of CPU power, but the same thing is happening on a new system with a much more powerful processor that's usually around 2-10% load during normal use.
I have tried running the Audiobox through a powered USB hub; the static was exactly the same.
The PC has been plugged into multiple different surge protectors and also directly to the wall with the same result.
Some PC specs if they matter (let me know if anything else is needed):
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700F 2.1 GHz 12-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI MAG B660M MORTAR WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
RAM: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory (only one 16GB installed currently)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB TUF GAMING OC Video Card
Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex III Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply