Hey, any update on the issue? did CPU or Mobo fix that? I'm having the same weird issue. though I tried 8 sound cards even with external DAC/AMP, it only happens with 3.5mm headphones not with some cheap USB headphones. I couldn't even record the sound issue, it just come out clean from the computer and playing from the same computer would cause the same popping form the computer it self. I just need to know if it could be the CPU or MOBO because I have no idea what could change except firmware update to mobo