Strange that the playback offset won't compensate.
Let's try adjusting your audio hardware accelerator.
Click START.
Click RUN.
Type in DXDIAG.
Click OK.
After everything opens up at the top of the page open SOUND 1
In the power left hand side of the page there's a slider next to HARDWARE SOUND ACCELERATOR LEVEL.
Move the slider one notch to the left.
Click SAVE ALL INFORMATION, close out, open Hoster, and see if there's any improvement, even using the PLAYBACK OFFSET.
If no change, repeat the process one notch at a time, as many times as necessary. If no change after moving the slider fully to the left,, put it back to one notch from the right and leave it there. That setting usually is optimum.
If that doesn't get it, then move over and make room for me up in that tree with you, 'cause I don't have another clue at the moment..
George