Audio output only .5 second

This was working fine until recently, using VLC to play to my USB speaker. Tried MPD and it has the same issue. Really its any audio output at all, but recently, instead of outputting “Hello Bodhi, welcome home” it will just say “Hel” and stop. Does the same with my door chimes, play an MP3 or WAV it just sort of chips instead of playing the audio. Any ideas?

Anyone? Not sure where to even start digging on this one.

Should this be in another section?