Clipping in digital output but not in analog output. Windows 10

[Jachoo]

Recently, I have been using Audacity to capture audio and have noticed that when I use a digital output, such as DisplayPort or HDMI, I experience clipping in the audio. Interestingly enough, this behaviour is completely absent when I use the analog output from the motherboard (green line out). It seems as though something is prohibiting the signal from clipping. The picture below shows the behaviour, with the top being digital and the bottom analog. (Note: red lines show clipping.)

Here is some additional info:
- recording quality: 24-bit 48 kHz
- Windows output quality: 24-bit 48 kHz
- Source quality: 16-bit 44.1 kHz
- EAPO is installed on all outputs to remove the original APOs, but beyond that, it does nothing

Is this sth like CAudioLimiter that is changing the behaviour of the audio signal, or is this some realtek audio driver thingy? Any help is appreciated, as I'd like to know which output to use to avoid this distortion.

 

[wwenze]

Is the clipping present in the original file?

 

[Jachoo]

Good point I don’t know any way of confirming that the original source has clipping, but that still wouldn’t answer why only the digital output observes clipping.

 

[wwenze]

Original file having clipping is not unusual

If you compare the two tracks, you will find that the analogue file is different in multiple places and not just clipping.

Basically, your analogue simply has slightly lower values and that avoided the clipping. Digital transfer, if done properly, you will get a 1 to 1 reproduction. This is impossible with analogue.

 

[Berwhale]

There is a massive thread on this topic here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nding-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/

 

[Jachoo]

I skimmed through it before writing this post, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check the whole thing to see whether there is any mention of my problem.
Thanks for the quick link!

 

[Jachoo]

The read-through was certainly something... I saw there was a lot of arguing there.
But hey, at least with some checking done by myself, it appears that the clipping came from Windows' upsampler doing the conversion from 44.1Khz to 48Khz. However, this doesn't answer why the analog output kept not clipping, but I think it has to do with some weird D-A or A-D or whatever conversion. Or maybe some in-built limiter in realtek drivers, idk.

Either way, thanks for the help,p everyone!