LG 65C2PUA - A Few of Questions/Problem

Do I need EARC on?

Can I use another HDMI port with a optical cable and still get Atmos?

Cracking and popping while watching streaming content, can be alleviated by pausing or an extreme cases changing sound out from HDMI (ARC) to another output waiting for the TV to switch to the new output and then back again

Should I just buy a new TV?