I've noticed this problem since v2.1.4, I just upgraded to 2.1.5, but the problem didn't get fixed, so I'm posting this now. It did not exist in 2.1.3.
I have groups of small audio files that get played. They're short in duration, sometimes only 3 seconds long. There may be 50 or more on a playlist, and for 3 or 4 or so, VLC will skip the first 1 or 2 seconds of the audio.
Any ideas?