OK - seems the ball gate issue is sorted.  After liasing with Ace (Ni-Wumph) and hours of tinkering the gate is being held correctly open for 800ms.  The switch was opening too early - and then causing issues.  Tedious adjustments and seems to be now good.

Sound - hmm.  Still looping but after machine has been on a while seems to be OK...Possibly a 7404 issue?  Not sure still working on this.