Hello, My thanks and apologies to all who have checked my sample files, and NOT found the difference I claimed. The false alarm was caused by playback problems. So, I'd like to know if there's anything I can do about them. So here is the problem description. I am using the Intel ICH5 AC97 codec, on a rather good Asus motherboard. I connect an A/V receiver to the SPDIF output. I am using the 2.6.8.1 kernel. I have applied the -ck7 patch, but I don't think it affects ALSA. When I play back files that are recorded at 44k1, the sound is seriously distorted, with a "ringing" effect. This applies to all files, including MP3s I got off the Net, and to digital playback of CDs. Digital CD playback was OK on previous kernels (I think I tested 2.6.5 or 2.6.6). So this seems like an ALSA bug. Question 1. Does a known fix exist for this big? Question 2. If not, do I need to report it somehow? Yours, Mikhail Ramendik