Audio dropouts - Gemini Air

I use a Gemini Air to get DirecTV wirelessly (no satellite but I'm told I don't have DirecTV Stream FWIW)

Since I get the Air to replace my old Gemini box, I've been having brief audio dropouts (2-3 seconds) on a random basis. The frequency has been increasing. I had occasional but rare dropouts with the Gemini box.

Samsung Q90T. The Air is plugged into an HDMI port. My soundbar (Sonos Beam) is plugged into eARC port.

I don't get the dropouts when I watch streaming services using the apps on the TV (i.e. not over a DirecTV channel).

I've done some basic troubleshooting - reset the Air, factory reset, switched it to a different HDMI port - without any change.

I suspect the Gemini Air is the problem (not the TV or Sonos Beam since both work fine with streaming services), maybe a defective unit.

Any ideas before I contact support?

Thanks.