SOLVED: I set Audio Device Output back to Windows Direct Sound (from WASAPI) & issue's gone. Must be compatibility issue with my PC (hardware or drivers or software or some combo).
Will test WASAPI again someday w next iteration of Windows 10 or other change such as new sound drivers etc. But perhaps WASAPI is wasted on my current set up anyhow (esp. speakers); hope to upgrade later year, to at least a second set of decent speakers (imagine I'll find some good info/advice on Interact Forums).
Thanks
Before you completely give up...
What I have found is that WASAPI to my SB ZXr card absolutely HATES dealing with different formats. I can't mix WAV, FLAC, MP3 and WMA (yes, still have some, slowly upgrading to FLAC ripping from my personal CDs).
Make sure your playlist only includes files of the same type. It's a PITA but it works for me having similar issues.
Next things to do under Player-Options-Audio choose the WASAPI output then click Device settings:
Set WASAPI to exclusive access
Bitdepth AUTO works on my ZXr but on an old USB DAC I had, I had to set this to 24 bit integer in 32 bit package otherwise it would lock up MC
Under the same options screen, choose under Settings DSP&Format:
Under Output format, set EVERY one of the options to the same sample rate. My old USB DAC could handle up to 192 Khz input, so to keep MC from locking up I also had to set this to all output to 192 KHz for every range I have tracks (highest rate I have is 192 KHz so that's what I set them all to)
I won't say this will fix your issue but I have seen similar behavior in MC 22 or 21 with my old USB DAC. My ZXr doesn't seem to care about any of these settings and just works though.