New PC Build - Audio Quality is significantly lower than last build. PLEASE Help!

[Koastie]

Hello, 

 

Recently build a new PC. Audio Specs below:

 

NEW Build:

Asus PRIME Z790-V WIFI motherboard. https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/prime/prime-z790-v-wifi/

Headphones: Sennheiser 6XX

DAC: Mayflower Electronics 02

OS: Windows 10

Software: Sonic Studio III

 

OLD Build:

 

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Formula X https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-x-formula-model/spec/

Headphones: Sennheiser 6XX

DAC: Mayflower Electronics 02

OS: Windows 11

Software: None.

 

The audio quality and loudness is significantly lower when I use my exact same headphones and DAC with the new system. I'm having to max out the volume of the DAC to get anywhere near mid-volume on my old setup. I went ahead and unplugged the DAC/headphones from the new system and re-plugged them into the old one and my ears almost bled due to the massive difference in quality/loudness. 

 

I'm no professional, but the only thing I can come up with is that the Sonic Studio III software makes a huge difference on my old motherboard. Can anyone confirm if this is true or if there's something else going on? Spent a lot of money on the new setup and although most of it has been enjoyable, this downgrade in audio experience is really ruining it at the moment. Any fixes? Do I need to buy a nicer motherboard? Didn't realize that a motherboard could change so much audio wise...

 

[Psittac]

Someone had an issue with the sonic studio recently, go into it and check the setting's.  Nothing wrong with the software however sometimes thing's don't get along with each other.  I just don't use any software from the MB manufacturer.

 

click the start button and type "control panel"

click on "hardware and sound"

click on "sound"

 

And look around in there