Hi,
I've tested the Joern's image and I can confirm that both audio issues from the original post seem to be resolved for me. Good job!
Unfortunately the image introduces new issues for me on the H96 MAX RK3399 box. USB-C is not working anymore, no deinterlacing etc. However, some of the issues are probably related to the not updated device tree for H96 MAX. I'm using the original device tree from Android which I've modified to work with the official LE image (H96 MAX RK3399).
Hopefully Kwiboo is listening and some of the Joern's changes will make it to the official release!
EDIT: While the above new issues seem to be related to the device tree the following 2 seem not:
1. While playing the Hobbit video from YouTube mentioned earlier the audio is finally without any cracking but approximately twice per the video the HDMI mode change occurs resulting in half a second drop of the audio and an OSD with the HDMI mode shown on the TV.
2. Sometimes the HDMI mode is incorrectly set to 4K instead of 1080p resulting in the video or the GUI being shown only in the quarter of the screen. Subsequent mode change brings it back to normal.