RealTek odd behaviour when using Pandora?

[okieuser]

When I listen via headphones to Pandora.com streaming music, RealTek will alternate between giving me the background music and almost no vocals, or the vocals (or lead guitar solo etc.) but very faint background. Sometimes the entire song is faint, like right now ("House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals).

I've updated the RealTek driver to 6.0.1.6482 and installed the codecs from Realtek

... and restarted the PC but no change. I've also searched the Web and found numerous threads including this forum, but nothing quite like what I'm hearing. Ran a test with Winamp music player; same thing. Tips?

 

[fireberd]

Is this "only" with headphones? It sounds like there could be a problem with the headphones. Try the PC's speakers or a different headphone and see if you have the same problem. Try to isolate where/what the problem is, then you can work on a solution.

 

[okieuser]

I've been relying on headphones because I'm in a bullpen work environment and can't distract coworkers. I'll wait till most are out at lunch and run a test. Then get back to you...

 

[okieuser]

I ran a test playing music via iTunes through the speakers and it sounded normal. That means the issue is only when using headphones. Bear in mind the headphones sound OK if I plug them into an iPod, etc. Is there some way to diagnose/repair an issue with the headphone output of my RealTek sound card???

 

[fireberd]

To see if it's the headphone jack, plug the headphones into the rear GREEN speaker jack. If it still does it with the rear jack, then that isolates it to the headphones.

It sounds like the 1/8" stereo plug may be the problem. If you have access to an alcohol pad, clean the plug and see if that helps. Don't use Windex, or any regular cleaning solution. you need either the alcohol or some electronic contact cleaner.

 

[okieuser]

Newest test odd results. Tried iTunes and Winamp and got normal sound (front green headphone jack. Tried Pandora again and it's still pushing either vocals or background section waaay down in the mix. Probably have to contact them, unless it's a known issue that has come up here before? (Thx for cleaning tip)

 

[fireberd]

I haven't seen any other posts about this (not that there isn't any). Could be something with Pandora. Do a google search and see if anything else turns up about this.