sounds clipping at start
at 10.9.5 on mac pro (early 2009), gobs of RAM.
suddenly, some sounds are having the start clipped off. short ones (like the rush of sending mail), i don't hear at all, except for sometimes.
if i go to system prefs and the sound pane, i can hear each sound as i change alert sounds. no problem.
iTunes, no problem.
i have a custom sound for incoming mail and it starts about 25% of the way into the sound.
what could be going on?
was about to upgrade to yosemite, but not sure if i should until i resolve this.