It started when I was trying to add my Amazon Echo as a PC speaker (that deserves a separate thread.) At one point I updated the RealTek driver to the actual RealTek driver. Then audio playback was crackly on both Chrome and Windows Edge. The built-in troubleshooter thought everything was fine.
I finally found the solution on the Dell Community. Apparently you have to make the RealTek soundboard use the Microsoft Windws HD Audio driver. Here's a link to the post and a screenshot. Let me know if you have any questions.
https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Speakers-Crackling-Sound/td-p/6228746
