I was tricked once when playing a project I'd mastered back on a laptop. The "enhancements" were selected for the internal sound chip, and the music sounded like crap - compressed and trebly. I couldn't believe I thought I'd done a good mastering job 

Anderton
I was tricked once when playing a project I'd mastered back on a laptop. The "enhancements" were selected for the internal sound chip, and the music sounded like crap - compressed and trebly. I couldn't believe I thought I'd done a good mastering job 

Similar thing happened to me in the past: I had mastered a live jazz band album and I though I left it very natural. Few days later the client calls me saying he is very annoyed about all the hall reverb I have added to the mix. I could not understand how the tiny amount of natural room ambience was so disturbing and I promised to check the mix.
Next day the client calls again: "I need to apologize my harsh language, I had surround enhancer effects on in my home stereos. I turned it off and now our band sounds awesome".
 

It's usually Windows Media Player that we hear about in this context. AFAIK, however, neither Foobar nor Audacity apply any effects - at least, not by default. And if it was the Soundblaster doing it (IIRC it does have some built-in effects), then the DAW output would have been similarly affected. So what middleware could alter audio this way, after eliminating the playback software and sound card?

This is a true audiophile card manufactured by Asus:
https://www.asus.com/us/S...sence_STX_II/overview/
This card has been in Asus inventory since 2011.  It has top of the line Burr Brown A/D & D/A convertors, supports professional headphones and operational amplifier chips can be swapped out with other brands (Different op amp have different frequency curve).  The interface software is dated.  Cost: $170 - $240 Online.
 
Gaming card manufactured by ASus:
https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Xonar-AE/overview/
Although this is a gaming card it has many features that fit your need.  The card was released in April, 2017.  It has a backplate that minimizes EMI interference and supports surround sound.  The software interface is much easier to use than the card above.  It uses Cirrus Logic D/A convertors.  Cost $70 - $80 online.

bitflipper
It's usually Windows Media Player that we hear about in this context. AFAIK, however, neither Foobar nor Audacity apply any effects - at least, not by default. And if it was the Soundblaster doing it (IIRC it does have some built-in effects), then the DAW output would have been similarly affected. So what middleware could alter audio this way, after eliminating the playback software and sound card?

As I recall windows audio enhancements do not affect asio drivers.

Wrongnoterod
Ha! thanks, I knew it.
 
Should I start a new thread about "which soundcard to buy for Windows 7?"
 
I dont have a lot of money maybe 200$ tops. I looked on sweetwater and there is NOTHING in that price range.
 
I'd rather go PCI soundcard than a USB interface. I'm completely tapped out with USB ports, all are in use.

You could use a good powered USB HUB with a fast USB interface, I'm using one from TP-Link.
Focusrite and a few others make descent audio interfaces for 200$ tops, I would rather go that way than getting PCI-E card if the purpose is recording and mixing in stereo.