{ Reboot your computer! Don't just logout! PA is resident! }
When back in Gnome, go to System->Preferences->Sound and set 5.1 surround mode (may be called "Analog Surround 5.1 Output") under Profile for the hardware you are using. Not sure if IEC958 / S/PDIF 5.1 ever had the issue.
***** THE CRACKLING FIX (works for 2/2 people!) *****
(Jerther went through the pains to figure the clean-room installation out)
Following the steps exactly, no omissions (last one will reboot your computer).
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xt-knight/ppa
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude upgrade
sudo reboot
{ Reboot your computer! Don't just logout! PA is resident! }
When back in Gnome, go to System- >Preferences- >Sound and set 5.1 surround mode (may be called "Analog Surround 5.1 Output") under Profile for the hardware you are using. Not sure if IEC958 / S/PDIF 5.1 ever had the issue.
:)