I have a constant problem with audio lag on Zorin 17.2. Short sections of audio get repeated during playback, whether its a video or just music. My computer is built with hardware about 10 years old now, but I didn't have any issues on Windows.
You could try it with PulseAudio Volume control. You can install it with the Terminal Command sudo apt install pavucontrol
It is a Tool for set up Audio Input and Output. when You have open it, go to the Configuration Tab and choose Your Audio Profile and then go to the Output Tab and click there on the Marker to set Your Audio as default. Then make a Reboot and test it.
Plugged in via audio jack.
I don't see a tab for "Your Audio" under Configuration. Under the Output tab I find the speakers, labelled as "Line Out". But I also don't see any options for setting it as default.
The OP states in his detail he is running Zorin 17.2
I suspect the issue is that you clearly have 3 different sources for audio to be processed. You need to decide which two need to be blacklisted. I would certainly blacklist HDMI source. What I suspect is you are having the software not knowing which hardware source to use.
Whilst my tutorial that I wrote was for a SoundBlaster AudigyRX card, you can decide which device you want to deal with sound and blacklist the two you don't need/want:
Also check out my last post on ensuring that you get sound out of each speaker:
And the problem persists. I've done several reboots to confirm. After testing them individually, the top one doesn't play sound. The bottom one plays sound as normal.
Usually the first one is hdmi based on my personal experience. Go for the first two to blacklist, save the blacklist.conf file, power off and reboot. See what happens.
I tested this with one entry in the blacklist file, and two entries (because they are the same entries, I didn't think it would make a difference). After a reboot, no sound was playing whatsoever.
Unfortunately, I don't. There's just a list of possible devices, some of which are unavailable. I couldn't grab a screenshot of the menu while it was open, so you'll have to trust me
However, after several reboots, now only the Built-in Audio profile is checked. So that's a win?
But the problem still persists.
The problem being "Audio lag" as per title, but you describe it as "audio get repeated" which to me sounds like echo or loopback.
Can you open alsamixer in terminal.
Hit F5 to show all channels. Post a screenshot showing all channels (some may spill off right side of screen).
Look for channel [Auto-Mute] try toggle that to Disable to see any effect.
Look for channel [Loopback ] try toggle that OFF to see effect.
Out of interest, have you tested sound using "Try Zorin" mode from the Live USB?
But is alsamixer different if you untick the "GM206 High Definition Audio Controller item in Pulse Audio (post #8), leaving just the "Built In Audio - Analog Stereo Output" item.
Update: after following the solutions on the link, I still have an echo.
Could this possibly be a problem with flatpaks? I realized I'm running everything as flatpaks, which I haven't used as much in a Linux system.
I also have to admit my hardware is 10 years old, or older, so it could be that Zorin isn't playing well with it.
You could check that with installing the APT Version of the Program and test if there the Sound works without Issues. Flatpak's can sometimes be a bit ... difficult because of there limited Permissions.