Kernel: 2.6.18-1.2239.fc5
Motherboard: Asus A7N8X
Snd: Realtek ALC650

After a fresh install of FC5, I tested a few videos and audio files and noticed the sound is distorted and full of static. Although, I can hear, vaguely, what I should hear behind the static and distortion.

Below is the "lsmod | grep snd" output:

snd_intel8x0 32605 3
snd_ac97_codec 91361 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_ac97_bus 2753 1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_seq_dummy 4293 0
snd_seq_oss 32705 0
snd_seq_midi_event 8001 1 snd_seq_oss
snd_seq 51633 5 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_seq_device 8781 3 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq
snd_pcm_oss 42849 0
snd_mixer_oss 16833 2 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 76485 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_timer 23237 2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd 52933 13 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd _timer
soundcore 10145 2 snd
snd_page_alloc 10569 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm

Within alsamixer , the volume sets below are at 50% or higher. All other settings are not set or 0.

Master
Master M
PCM
Center
LFE
Line
CD
IEC958
Aux

What am I overlooking; should the sound not be clear by default?