StarTekh
neiby : Install cpu-z....I want motherboard make and model....and the board's current bios rev......your Os 8.0 ..8.1 ? .. whats the make and model of your video card.. I will look back later..
 
VIA VT6308 chip for FireWire is more than likely a issue... Nec chipset is standard !

Interestingly, I already had CPU-Z running to get the motherboard model for an earlier reply. It is a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3. BIOS version is FB, dated 1/22/2013. My video card is a nVidia GTX 970 FTW. My PC is running Windows 7 64-bit.

LunaTech
Hello,
 
Hmm.. The reason I asked was that I had two issues that drove me nuts... One.. was a output from an onboard card to my interface. Took me a while to track it down kind of like power hum combined with intermitent bursts of hi frequency hash.  Took it to a engineer friend of mine who identified it as digital noise from my pc more than likely the board. In that case the output from the card I sent through an ART DTI. 
 
The other case was similar but came from usb.  When using my drum controller via usb and while having the audio output going to the interface, the same kind of noise reared again. The fix was the same also to add the noise added to the transformer hum from a secondary set of powered monitors. Between doing this (Below) and using the Art it took care of thatThus my question about trying a different set of speakers. IHTH...
 

Digital Distortion

Digital distortion is noise accompanied by "grinding" or "buzzing" sounds that appear completely unnatural. Often, they follow the processes of the computer being used; for instance, if one opens a program on their system, this noise may alter along with this process. 

Solution:

Digital distortion is usually either caused by an issue with the audio interface, or the monitors being connected to the same power strip/socket as the computer. Make sure your monitors/playback solutions are connected to a separate power source than your computer and other digital hardware. Or, make sure you are using a quality power conditioner.  Check with the support for your particular interface for more information on possible driver issues, fixes, and optimizations. 

I think this is the likely culprit because that is exactly what it sounds like. It's been a while since I connected this stuff, so I'll have to pull my desk away from the wall and verify connectivity. I think my computer is connected to a UPS and my monitors are just connected to a power strip going into the wall, but I'll check to make sure. There's not a feasible way to get them on different circuits if that is what is necessary.
 
I wonder if FireWire is more susceptible to this or not? If I don't solve the right problem, I could end up buying a new interface and have the same issue.
 
EDIT: I was wrong. For some dumb reason, my monitors are connected to the UPS, as well. I think it's because I moved them to a different location and didn't have anything else available at the time. Kind of dumb. I'll move them to a different power strip and see if that helps.

Just another quick check... If you have not connected this in a while, is the FW port on the PC free of dust?

Also be sure never to make/break that connection with power on either component.

mettelus
Just another quick check... If you have not connected this in a while, is the FW port on the PC free of dust?

Also be sure never to make/break that connection with power on either component.

It may have some dust on it. In fact, it probably does. As far as making/breaking the connection with power applied, I've done that many times. I take it that's a bad thing. lol  Maybe that's another reason to go with USB maybe?
 
I've moved some power cables around and I thought it helped, but it's hard to tell because I thought I had a bad cable, but now it turns out that I just can't figure out how to get stereo out of this interface. I don't seem to have the option to set the master output in Sonar to two different channels. It's only allowing me to select one, but Mix Control requires two, one for left and and for right. Grr.....I hate messing with this stuff. Maybe that's why I never really made it as an engineer. lol  I get easily frustrated and say, "Screw this. I'm going to go watch TV instead."

My Saffire came with a big warning label on both the top of the unit and over the FW port not to make/break that connection with power applied as it may damage the unit. Definitely make it a practice to power off both the computer and Saffire before making the FW connection. (I never disconnect mine, just power the unit on/off when in use with the computer already up and running.)
 
It seems you may have fiddled with the MixControl... quickest "reset" you can do with this is open MixControl with the Saffire on and click the "Routing Preset..." in the middle left, and choose "DAW tracking." This is a generic setting to send the DAW to the monitors (should be stereo). The "Monitor Output 1/2" just to the right of that button are what is going to the Left/Right monitor outputs, so can also adjust them there.

 I never had a problem running my FW-410 or Presonus 1394 on a VIA chipset.  I'd probably go with a USB audio device these days since FW is becoming less available. 

I am running the VIA chipset (onboard) as well with Win7 64. The driver I am using is "1394ohci.sys" - VIA 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller, version 6.1.7601.17514, from 6/21/2006 (is the driver included with Win7 64).

mettelus
My Saffire came with a big warning label on both the top of the unit and over the FW port not to make/break that connection with power applied as it may damage the unit. Definitely make it a practice to power off both the computer and Saffire before making the FW connection. (I never disconnect mine, just power the unit on/off when in use with the computer already up and running.)
 
It seems you may have fiddled with the MixControl... quickest "reset" you can do with this is open MixControl with the Saffire on and click the "Routing Preset..." in the middle left, and choose "DAW tracking." This is a generic setting to send the DAW to the monitors (should be stereo). The "Monitor Output 1/2" just to the right of that button are what is going to the Left/Right monitor outputs, so can also adjust them there.

This worked! Setting the routing preset to DAW tracking did exactly what I've been trying to do manually with no luck. Now if I can find a way to eliminate this damnable noise, I'll be in heaven. I thought it had improved, but it was temporary. I don't know what to do about it. It's seriously frustrating, but at least I can use my system now. I don't notice the noise if music is playing. It's the in-between times that make me want to stab my monitors.  :)

 
I recently had to replace a dead interface for one of the audio comps.
 
I bought this after lots of look-about:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIXF200/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
I figger something newest will have some of the best current parts and therefore cost less.
 
And for 300 bucs, often less than a month's payments for phone, gas, electric, car ins, health care,... if it works for a year "Robert is your father's brother."
 
And Since buying Tascam is buying Gibson is buying Cakewalk, you will sleep with pride of loyalty.
 
And so on.
 
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            and compressed with authentic colors.
 The slight function variations and nail marks are visible because
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  Inherent in this technique
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It's definitely digital noise from my computer. I can hear the noise react as I browse the web. Ridiculous.