Indeed I had this same issue right from the git go... The engines sound very raspy and almost "static" like, especially at certain RPMs... but it does it all the time... I've actually got to the point where I just keep the sound turned down WAY low. It was happening orignally with my SB Live card, but someone suggested it may have been a problem with it, so I pulled the card, removed the drivers and enabled the on-board sound... It's a c-media chip... Same exact problem with it too.... If anyone finds a solution I'd LOVE to HEAR it.. (pun intended...)