Crackling After Playback

[Studio66]

I'm getting an odd crackling/static noise after playback stops.
My system is decent (see below) and regardless of buffer size this crackling persists.
Brief history....
I just purchased 2022.5 to replace my long expired 12.4
12.4 did not have the issue and I could use any buffer down to 32 without issue.
I also have Cubase 12 installed and it does not have this issue either with any buffer down to as low as 32...its only appeared with this new version of PT Studio
I updated drivers and deleted prefrences etc...I believe I've done all the windows optimizations recommended.

My sessions are generally 48/24 although I started doing a few 32 float...both have the same issue.
I suspect its something obvious that I'm just missing...

Interface is a Steinberg UR816C (up to date) and always worked great with 12.4 and C12

If anyone has any thoughts I'll say Thank you in advance :) I hope i've provided the correct info.



SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : DESKTOP-78A9KF1
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : GigaByte Z270X-UD5 Default string
Serial Number : Default*******
Chassis : Default string Desktop
Mainboard : GigaByte Z270X-UD5-CF
Serial Number : Default*******
BIOS : AMI (OEM) F5 07/07/2017
Intel vPro : 11.06.27.3264
Total Memory : 16GB DIMM

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz (4C 8T 4.2GHz, 4x 256kB L2, 8MB L3)

Chipset
Memory Controller : Intel PCI-to-PCI Bridge 100MHz, 16GB DIMM 2.67GHz

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Fujitsu F4-2666C15-8GRR 8GB PC42700U
Memory Module : Fujitsu F4-2666C15-8GRR 8GB PC42700U

Video System
Monitor/Panel : ACI ASUS VE278
(1920x1080, 27.2")
Monitor/Panel : ACI ASUS VE278
(1920x1080, 27.2")
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (5CU 640SP SM5.0 1GHz/1.33GHz, 2MB L2, 4GB 5.4GHz 128-bit, PCIe 3.00 x16)
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (5CU 640SP SM5.0 1GHz/1.33GHz, 2MB L2, 4GB 5.4GHz 128-bit, PCIe 3.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
CUDA GP Processor : nVidia NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (640SP 5C 1GHz/1.33GHz, 2MB L2, 4GB 5.4GHz 128-bit)
OpenCL GP Processor : nVidia NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (640SP 5C 1GHz/1.33GHz, 2MB L2, 4GB 5.4GHz 128-bit)
Compute Shader Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (640SP 5C 1GHz/1.33GHz, 2MB L2, 4GB 5.4GHz 128-bit)

Storage Devices
Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (250GB, SATA600, 2.5", SSD) : 233GB (C:)
Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 932GB (F:)
Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 932GB (E:)
Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 932GB (G:)
ASUS DRW-24B1ST j (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) : N/A (D:)

Logical Storage Devices
System Reserved : 500MB (NTFS)
Samples (F:) : 932GB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Recording (E:) : 932GB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Storage (G:) : 932GB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST1000DM010-2EP102 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
OS (C:) : 232GB (NTFS) @ Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (250GB, SATA600, 2.5", SSD)
Hard Disk : 586MB (NTFS)
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ ASUS DRW-24B1ST j (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Gigabyte Intel(R) 200 Series Chipset Family LPC Controller (Z270) - A2C5
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : T2 86-86
Audio Device : Gigabyte High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Device : Gigabyte High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : nVidia nForce2 ISA Bridge
Serial Port(s) : 2
Disk Controller : Gigabyte ICH8R (ICH8) SATA RAID Controller
Disk Controller : Gigabyte Intel(R) 200 Series Chipset Family PMC - A2A1
USB Controller 1 : Gigabyte Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.0 (Microsoft)
USB Controller 2 : 8738 Intel(R) USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft)
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : Avlab Technology XIO2213A PCI Express to 1394b OHCI with 3-Port PHY

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft Software Printer Driver (300x300, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4 (600x600, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft Print To PDF (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (2) I219-V (Ethernet)
Network Adapter : Intel(R) I211 Gigabit Network Connection (Ethernet, 1Gbps)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows Workstation 10.00.19043
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 8.2

[Studio66]

Plugins appear to be the culprit…..even at a 1024 buffer.
It doesn’t appear to be brand related by process of elimination tests and all still work flawlessly on Cubase at all buffer sizes
The crackle is not loud….I don’t hear it all during playback or tracking just when playback stops….there’s a second or two delay then the crackle….like something is releasing something thing if that makes sense 🙃.