[Glennbo]

I suppose another question worth asking might be whether the "Auto-Suspend Pulse Audio" box was ever checked on REAPER's audio setup dialog. Can't remember how it defaults.

I have always kept that box checked, but I use mobo audio for everything besides REAPER and used my USB audio device exclusively for REAPER only, so for me I don't know that it makes as much difference as it might to someone trying to use their outboard audio device for both.