I'm using MC version 21.0.90 on a Windows 10 laptop. The FLAC files are on an external hard drive (D:). The MC library database is on the C: drive, an SSD.
I have a problem:
About 4 months ago I stopped using DLNA over Ethernet to an external renderer. Now I push the FLAC files over a 15-foot USB cable using the McIntosh ASIO driver that is designed for the McIntosh D100 preamp that I'm using. Most of the time, it all works beautifully. My problem is that the sound now and then pauses for a second or so, and it seems to happen when the PC is being asked to do something new, such as change focus to a new program or to reveal a minimized window. This might happen as much as 10-15 times an hour if 'm working on the computer while listening to music.
In the settings for the ASIO driver, I have tried increasing the buffering, currently at 250 milliseconds. And I have checked the box for "Use large hardware buffers." Neither change makes any difference that I notice.
Rather than just blindly try settings, I'd love to get a recommendation about what to change that has a chance to fix this problem.
Any ideas?