Odd Dropped frames with Audio Mixer config only

This is one of the oddest issues I've seen

FCP 6.0.6 - runs fine - no dropped frames - regular DV sequence - Caldigit VR (and a G-Raid I've tried on both hard drives - it's doesn't seem to be the hard drive) on Macbook Pro 2.4ghz intel core 2 4gb ram - latest everything system and quicktime

Ok - those are the specs --


No dropped frames when I'm running in STANDARD View timeline

BUT when I pull up the Audio Mixer configuration view -- frames dropped - stuttering - the works

Have used ONYX to clear log files - trashed preferences -- used diskwarrior - everything I can think of - repaired permissions

Yet still have this issue -

Even tried copying everything in the timeline to another project - another timeline - same issue

This is the first time this has happened (the original files with xdcam shot in 4:3 DV format -

Any suggestions?

Thanks Andy