Videos Hang + Extreme Slowness on mid-2012 mbp with USB Audio

[jh0720]

I have a mid-2012 mbp (new battery via Apple, new SSD and maxed out memory) that wouldn't hiccup even with 30 tabs open up until a month ago. The extreme choppiness (even doing light work) started when I was only on 10.12 (Sierra), and now on High Sierra, videos on any site will load but hang at 0:00 and never play (same behavior on chrome/FF/safari).

However, if I unplug my USB audio interface (Schiit Modi Uber: http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-2) that my speakers are running through, everything works just fine and there's no lag or videos hanging. My laptop does recognize the usb audio interface, though at times it doesn't detect it on waking up. Any ideas?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Any difference when on battery vs. power cable?

Have you tried connecting the device via a powered USB hub?

 

[jh0720]

Any difference when on battery vs. power cable?

Have you tried connecting the device via a powered USB hub?

It seems a bit smoother on battery (off memory), but I'm almost never on battery and this could be due to the fact that it's not connected to the USB audio on battery, so I can't give a strong answer.

Your comment made me realize that I've only ever used the USB audio interface through a powered USB hub. Would you suggest that I try connecting it directly to my laptop?

 

[Fishrrman]

As Brian mentioned above, could be a "USB bus power" issue IF you're not using a power block for the DAC.

If it came with a power block, try using it that way instead.

Or... could be a driver issue.