Thread: Audio stuttering issue after 6.0

As instructed by Community Rep Zhexos, I submit this bug report, despite having submitted it before via Support Center.

Description of the problem:
Since 6.0 release, audio stutters exactly like shown in these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVDG5YSDA9o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQLe1_AUAA4
It happens only in FFXIV, and started only after Endwalker early access release -- before that the game always ran perfect.
It doesn't happen in any other game or application.

It can happen basically anywhere, with no apparent reason.
Some situations usually facilitates it happening, which are:
- battles where more than 1 player join (whether it's instanced or not);
- during the loading screen of the area I have just entered;
- being in a isolated area (like a inn or the Rising Stones) -- using actions like Circle of Scorn in this situations have a enormous chance of sound stuttering

It can also happen during cutscenes, which causes voice acting to be cut off.

Date & Time: Since Dec, 3, 2021
Frequency: Everyday since then
World name: Diabolos (Crystal) / Atomos (Elemental)
Character name: Poki Epocan

Connection Specs
- Type of internet connection/provider: see image below

- Modem maker/model number: Askey / RTF3505VW-N1
Note: connection via cable or wi-fi as makes no difference at all.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Zhexos statement says "we have confirmed that after the fixes we applied in Patch 6.01 the issue continues to persist for some of our players who may be using CPUs that are older than 10 years".
But that information is not accurate, and, in fact, it is probably wrong information.
For instance, my own CPU, an AMD FX-8370E, isn't exactly new hardware, but it's not "older than 10 years" - it was released in 2014, which means it hasn't even completed 8 year yet.
Besides that, there have been not few reports of players having this issue on much newer hardware.
The player paga, for example, in this post, claims to be suffering from this issue on a AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, which was released in 2020.

The truth is that the "fixes" applied in Patch 6.01 didn't solve the problem for anyone who was having these issue, as far as the reports here in the forums tell.
In fact, there were players who stated that this issue only started for them after 6.01.

SquareEnix still seems to be seeing this problem mostly as a performance issue on the players side, but as I could see both from personal experience from troubleshooting and from reports in the forums, performance makes little difference or no difference at all.
Please, try reading players comments in the forums, for there's a lot of information available, specially in these 3 threads (1 -2 - 3) besides of the bug reports that have been submitted.

Lastly, please, give us a feedback on the possibility of adding a Legacy sound engine option, allowing us to change back to the audio driver that has been used up to 5.5, like it was proposed in this thread.
Seeing from outside, it seems easy to be implemented, and it has very good chance of solving this problem completely for us.
But if that's not viable at all, it would be nice if we only could have a response about that.

Thank you very much.


■ Answering the questions made by Zhexos:

1. What are your Character and Object Quantity current set to?
Tried every option, made no significant difference.
Also tried lowest graphic settings, ("Standard (Laptop)", I think it's called), made no difference.
Also tried every FPS option, including 15 FPS or None, made no difference.
At best, lowering everything to the minimum maybe made it stutter less, but it's hard to tell.

2. What other applications do you have running in the background while playing FFXIV?
Tried closing everything that I could.
More detailed lists:

-=-=-=-=-=-=- Proccess Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

C:\Program Files (x86)\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client\vpnui.exe 00001C88
C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe 00000D54
C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\updater\gup.exe 00001BA4
C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream\53.0.8.0\crashpad_handler.exe 00004010
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtkNGUI64.exe 00000658
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_3.2110.13603.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Cortana.exe 0000366C
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_3.2110.13603.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Win32Bridge.Server.exe 0000410C
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.2103.8.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Calculator.exe 00003360
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE 00002C04
C:\WINDOWS\System32\mobsync.exe 000010FC
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe 00003504
C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe 0000062C
C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHost.exe 00001718
C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\InputApp\TextInputHost.exe 000031C4
C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\ShellExperienceHost.exe 00002780
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ApplicationFrameHost.exe 00002900
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SettingSyncHost.exe 00003C08
C:\WINDOWS\system32\conhost.exe 000030CC
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sihost.exe 00001AE8
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 00000D3C
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskhostw.exe 00003464
C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel\SystemSettings.exe 00001F78
C:\Windows\System32\CompPkgSrv.exe 00002CB4
C:\Windows\System32\RuntimeBroker.exe 00001E98
C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealthSystray.exe 0000359C
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\UserOOBEBroker.exe 000043CC
C:\Windows\System32\smartscreen.exe 000003F8
E:\Games\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\GlassWire\app\GWIdlMon.exe 00003170
K:\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn\boot\ffxivlauncher.exe 0000257C
K:\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn\boot\ffxivsysinfo64.exe 00002F68

3. Is your audio device set as the Default Device? (Yes/No)
Yes.

4. Would the issue persist when playing the game in DirectX 9?
Yes.

5. If you use a gamepad, does the issue persist when you unplug the gamepad? (Yes/No)
I don't use a gamepad.
I used to have a XBox 360 Controller Receiver plugged in, but with no controller connected. Unplugging the receiver makes no difference.

6. Does the issue persist when you have the in-game Equalizer Mode set to Standard? (Yes/No)
Yes, but selecting any other option seems to make it way worse.

7. Does the issue persist when the Listening Position is set closer to the Character? (Yes/No)
Yes.


■ PC Specs

-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-

SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Pro 64 bits (6.2, Compilação 9200) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
SYSTEM_CPU AMD FX-8370E Eight-Core Processor (8 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 8 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 4
SYSTEM_BIOS BIOS Date: 11/18/16 08:57:16 Ver: 05.02
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE português (Configuração regional: português)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 16382.113MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 18814.113MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 232.099GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 63.061GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE E:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 2794.394GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 437.028GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE K:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 97.656GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 34.212GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE S:\ SYSTEM_NETWORK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 232.099GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 63.061GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE X:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 29.401GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 1.456GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE Y:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 154.296GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 8.396GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE Z:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 10.546GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 2.403GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x679A)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 3051.727 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8191.057 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Internal DAC(400MHz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\amdxc64.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 27.20.20903.8001
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 5/10/2021 21:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY2
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x679A)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 3051.727 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8191.057 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Internal DAC(400MHz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\aticfx64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\u0368456.inf_amd64_fc65705fd5034968\B367348\amdxc64.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 27.20.20903.8001
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 5/10/2021 21:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_SOUND 6 - BenQ RL2455 (AMD High Definition Audio Device)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {9A1CD7E8-068C-4B01-88C2-47EAB6D715C0}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME AtihdWT6.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 10.0.1.6
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 11/15/2017 21:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Alto-falantes (Realtek High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {F3B039CB-CB95-4036-836E-6011A4ABF4C7}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.0.1.7841
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 6/2/2016 21:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {BF11CA0F-B949-4894-A140-A36EA1A25986}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME vbaudio_cable64_win7.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 1.0.3.5
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 9/1/2014 21:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {762AB150-5FAE-4C01-9E56-D471AE61F7E7}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.0.1.7841
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 6/2/2016 21:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND VoiceMeeter Input (VB-Audio VoiceMeeter VAIO)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {3D20ED5A-F120-4CD4-9558-203FB29FE4F4}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME vbaudio_vmvaio64_win10.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 2.1.5.2
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE Inglês
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 1/10/2019 21:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 5 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B61-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Teclado
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 128 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {B52C44F0-1E01-11EB-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME 2.4G Receiver
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {B52D0840-1E01-11EB-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME 2.4G Receiver
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {B52D2F50-1E01-11EB-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME 2.4G Receiver
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {A6C760C0-AA97-11EB-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 897 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {A6C7D5F0-AA97-11EB-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {A6C82410-AA97-11EB-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME USB Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {B52D7D70-1E01-11EB-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME 2.4G Receiver
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {B52DA480-1E01-11EB-8005444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME 2.4G Receiver
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


Browser Information
- Name and version of the browser currently in-use: Firefox 95.0.2 (64-bits) is set as default, but I also use Chrome (64 bits) 96.0.4664.110
- Internet Explorer Version: 11