For PC DAW users like me, clean audio for pro recording & playback is an absolute must, NOT something where we can just throw our hands up & let go of as many Windows 10 users have done.
My year old Custom Asus PC running Win. 10 1903 with my longtime trusty internal Asus Xonar D2 7:1 PCIe card that worked perfectly in Windows 7 64 is giving me the same crackling audio issues while connected to my Harman Kardon Receiver with a coax (spdif) cable, though the receiver's HDMI audio for online media is fine.
I tried EVERY single conceivable online suggested fix to no avail, so before I waste my money on an internal or DAC soundcard upgrade that has also been known to produce the very same issues, or am forced to find room in my dinky apartment studio space to take my external analog gear out of mothballs to use over my digital connections, the PC is currently in a repair shop for pro troubleshooting, am hoping & praying for the best.