At least 75% of the time the audio cracks whenever I load a game. Doesn't matter what game. I turn it off, restart the game and the audio is fine. CCU with Digital Optical cable to 5.1 receiver. No other device has this issue and I have multiple devices using the same stereo with never any sound issues. A minor inconvenience but an inconvenience all the same. Stadia Controller as well.
I'm not sure why it would crackle but why are you using optical out on the CCU instead of connecting it to your receiver and using HDMI audio?
I am using a quality HDMI cable running from the CCU to my TV. Then running a quality Digital Optical cable from the TV to the stereo receiver. Cable box and the Android box are getting the same audio feed from the TV. They all register as 5.1 surround and the Dolby indicator lights are on. Great surround sound from all devices. The only issue is the crackling audio every so often when I first load a Stadia game.
It's definitely my ancient stereo receiver. Switched the CCU settings to auto detect sound stream and lost Dolby and 5.1 surround. Switching the audio output to AC3/EAC3 and Dolby plus surround work (occasionally crackling audio). It's such an old receiver that it's most likely having problems decoding the EAC3 audio. I'll change my Chromecast Ultra audio to only AC3 and see if that clears up my crackling audio issue. I tried running the CCU through the receiver HDMI but only get a blank screen. Receiver is old and the weakest link but it still sounds amazing ![]()