Thunderbolt Display - Inconsistant Audio / USB HUB

There appears to be about a million version of this going around in this forum ... BUT

I have a Mid 2011 Mac Mini w/ OSX 10.9.4 and upgraded from a cinema display to a thunderbolt display. I thought one less cable, what could possibly go wrong? Apparently everything. Ever since switching to the Thunderbolt display my audio and or USB works 10% of the time. Usually pulling the thunderbolt display plug out the back of the computer and plugging it back in fixed it for a little while. But if i walk away from my computer and come back everything doesn't work again.

Does this have anything to do with the computer falling asleep and power saving options?

Any tips and tricks to get this fixed permanently?

Or is this monitor just that bad?

Has anyone found a solution to the USB Hub problem on the Thunderbolt Display?