Fuzzy audio after starting Audacity

[sp239]

Hello,

not wanting to create a new thread, I too have the same/similar problem and been trying to find a solution.

I did check the suggestion of trying other o.s. but the problem persists:
-live cd ubuntu 12.04 up to 14.04, problem is there, also happens with installed versions.
-live cd latest fedora , problem is there.

Soundcard is creative labs audigy 2zs

problem starts as soon as you start audacity and becomes system wide (not just in audacity).
Closing audacity doesn't fix the problem, only a reboot (or maybe a pulseaudio or alsa restart, didn't try it)
The sound becomes aliased, with interference, not pure.

only ALSA is a available in audacity as a sound server.

If I create a pure tone of 6khz, play it, the problem is very noticeable. Happens on all frequencies not just the 6khz as an example.
If I then save the file with the pure tone, reboot and play it, without starting audacity, it sounds perfect.

[donjoe]

I too have the same/similar problem and been trying to find a solution.
[...]
Soundcard is creative labs audigy 2zs
[...]
If I create a pure tone of 6khz, play it, the problem is very noticeable. Happens on all frequencies not just the 6khz as an example.

Same here with Xubuntu 14.04 + Audigy 2 ZS. Looks like it wasn't quite the best choice of discrete sound card.
But it's good to know the problem goes away after a reboot - I hadn't noticed that since I was re-testing with Audacity every time, so thank you for the information.