Update: I am still getting unusual behavior in Ubuntu 14.10
I boot into Ubuntu and start MC first nothing else.
I check the Audio Device setting and it is hw:CARD=MID,DEV=0 [ALSA], which is correct
I select a song and click play, it appears to be playing, the time line is moving and the graphics are working but there is no sound
I check the Ubuntu Sound settings and they are correct
I recheck the MC Audio Device settings and it has now been changed to hdmi:CARD=MID,DEV=0 [ALSA], hence no sound
I stop playback and close MC
I restart MC and check the Audio Device settings and it has now been changed to pulse [ALSA]
Just for fun I attempt to play another song and get the same result, everything looks like it is playing but no sound.
I go back and check the Audio Device again and once again it has been changed to hdmi:CARD=MID,DEV=0 [ALSA]
I change the Audio Device back to hw:(etc) and it plays without problems
I close MC and reopen it, attempt to play a song and the device has been changed back to hdmi:(etc)
Any Ideas why MC is changing the Audio Device, seemingly on it's own?