diff --git a/internal/audio/batch_audio.go b/internal/audio/batch_audio.go
index 13392232..50dbde1f 100644
--- a/internal/audio/batch_audio.go
+++ b/internal/audio/batch_audio.go
@@ -86,21 +86,24 @@ func NewBatchAudioProcessor(batchSize int, batchDuration time.Duration) *BatchAu
 	cache := GetCachedConfig()
 	cache.Update()
 
-	// Validate input parameters
-	if err := ValidateBufferSize(batchSize); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
-		logger.Warn().Err(err).Int("batchSize", batchSize).Msg("invalid batch size, using default")
+	// Validate input parameters with minimal overhead
+	if batchSize <= 0 || batchSize > 1000 {
 		batchSize = cache.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch
 	}
 	if batchDuration <= 0 {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
-		logger.Warn().Dur("batchDuration", batchDuration).Msg("invalid batch duration, using default")
 		batchDuration = cache.BatchProcessingDelay
 	}
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	// Pre-allocate logger to avoid repeated allocations
 	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
 
+	// Pre-calculate frame size to avoid repeated GetConfig() calls
+	frameSize := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+	if frameSize == 0 {
+		frameSize = 1500 // Safe fallback
+	}
+
 	processor := &BatchAudioProcessor{
 		ctx:           ctx,
 		cancel:        cancel,
@@ -111,12 +114,14 @@ func NewBatchAudioProcessor(batchSize int, batchDuration time.Duration) *BatchAu
 		writeQueue:    make(chan batchWriteRequest, batchSize*2),
 		readBufPool: &sync.Pool{
 			New: func() interface{} {
-				return make([]byte, GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize) // Max audio frame size
+				// Use pre-calculated frame size to avoid GetConfig() calls
+				return make([]byte, 0, frameSize)
 			},
 		},
 		writeBufPool: &sync.Pool{
 			New: func() interface{} {
-				return make([]byte, GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize) // Max audio frame size
+				// Use pre-calculated frame size to avoid GetConfig() calls
+				return make([]byte, 0, frameSize)
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -386,65 +391,52 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) batchWriteProcessor() {
 
 // processBatchRead processes a batch of read requests efficiently
 func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchRead(batch []batchReadRequest) {
-	if len(batch) == 0 {
+	batchSize := len(batch)
+	if batchSize == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls in hot path
+	// Get cached config once - avoid repeated calls
 	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	minBatchSize := cache.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning
 
 	// Only pin to OS thread for large batches to reduce thread contention
-	start := time.Now()
-	shouldPinThread := len(batch) >= cache.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning
-
-	// Track if we pinned the thread in this call
+	var start time.Time
 	threadWasPinned := false
-
-	if shouldPinThread && atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0, 1) {
+	if batchSize >= minBatchSize && atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0, 1) {
+		start = time.Now()
 		threadWasPinned = true
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
-
-		// Set high priority for batch audio processing
-		if err := SetAudioThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-			bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to set batch audio processing priority")
-		}
+		// Skip priority setting for better performance - audio threads already have good priority
 	}
 
-	batchSize := len(batch)
+	// Update stats efficiently
 	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedReads, 1)
 	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedFrames, int64(batchSize))
 	if batchSize > 1 {
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.CGOCallsReduced, int64(batchSize-1))
 	}
 
-	// Add deferred function to release thread lock if we pinned it
-	if threadWasPinned {
-		defer func() {
-			if err := ResetThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-				bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to reset thread priority")
-			}
-			runtime.UnlockOSThread()
-			atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0)
-			bap.stats.OSThreadPinTime += time.Since(start)
-		}()
-	}
-
-	// Process each request in the batch
-	for _, req := range batch {
+	// Process each request in the batch with minimal overhead
+	for i := range batch {
+		req := &batch[i]
 		length, err := CGOAudioReadEncode(req.buffer)
-		result := batchReadResult{
-			length: length,
-			err:    err,
-		}
 
-		// Send result back (non-blocking)
+		// Send result back (non-blocking) - reuse result struct
 		select {
-		case req.resultChan <- result:
+		case req.resultChan <- batchReadResult{length: length, err: err}:
 		default:
 			// Requestor timed out, drop result
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Release thread lock if we pinned it
+	if threadWasPinned {
+		runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+		atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0)
+		bap.stats.OSThreadPinTime += time.Since(start)
+	}
+
 	bap.stats.LastBatchTime = time.Now()
 }
 
@@ -468,10 +460,8 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchWrite(batch []batchWriteRequest) {
 		threadWasPinned = true
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
 
-		// Set high priority for batch audio processing
-		if err := SetAudioThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-			bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to set batch audio processing priority")
-		}
+		// Set high priority for batch audio processing - skip logging in hotpath
+		_ = SetAudioThreadPriority()
 	}
 
 	batchSize := len(batch)
@@ -484,9 +474,8 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchWrite(batch []batchWriteRequest) {
 	// Add deferred function to release thread lock if we pinned it
 	if threadWasPinned {
 		defer func() {
-			if err := ResetThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-				bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to reset thread priority")
-			}
+			// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
+			_ = ResetThreadPriority()
 			runtime.UnlockOSThread()
 			atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.writePinned, 0)
 			bap.stats.WriteThreadTime += time.Since(start)
diff --git a/internal/audio/buffer_pool.go b/internal/audio/buffer_pool.go
index acf74fc7..8573a399 100644
--- a/internal/audio/buffer_pool.go
+++ b/internal/audio/buffer_pool.go
@@ -351,50 +351,29 @@ func NewAudioBufferPool(bufferSize int) *AudioBufferPool {
 }
 
 func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
-	// Trigger periodic cleanup of goroutine cache
-	cleanupGoroutineCache()
-
-	start := time.Now()
-	wasHit := false
-	defer func() {
-		latency := time.Since(start)
-		// Record metrics for frame pool (assuming this is the main usage)
-		if p.bufferSize >= GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordFramePoolGet(latency, wasHit)
-		} else {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordControlPoolGet(latency, wasHit)
-		}
-	}()
+	// Skip cleanup trigger in hotpath - cleanup runs in background
+	// cleanupGoroutineCache() - moved to background goroutine
 
 	// Fast path: Try lock-free per-goroutine cache first
 	gid := getGoroutineID()
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RLock()
-
-	// Try new TTL-based cache first
 	cacheEntry, exists := goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid]
-	var cache *lockFreeBufferCache
-	if exists && cacheEntry != nil {
-		cache = cacheEntry.cache
-		// Update last access time
-		cacheEntry.lastAccess = time.Now().Unix()
-	} else {
-		// Fall back to legacy cache if needed
-		cache, exists = goroutineBufferCache[gid]
-	}
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RUnlock()
 
-	if exists && cache != nil {
+	if exists && cacheEntry != nil && cacheEntry.cache != nil {
 		// Try to get buffer from lock-free cache
+		cache := cacheEntry.cache
 		for i := 0; i < len(cache.buffers); i++ {
 			bufPtr := (*unsafe.Pointer)(unsafe.Pointer(&cache.buffers[i]))
 			buf := (*[]byte)(atomic.LoadPointer(bufPtr))
 			if buf != nil && atomic.CompareAndSwapPointer(bufPtr, unsafe.Pointer(buf), nil) {
 				atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-				wasHit = true
 				*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 				return *buf
 			}
 		}
+		// Update access time only after cache miss to reduce overhead
+		cacheEntry.lastAccess = time.Now().Unix()
 	}
 
 	// Fallback: Try pre-allocated pool with mutex
@@ -404,11 +383,7 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 		buf := p.preallocated[lastIdx]
 		p.preallocated = p.preallocated[:lastIdx]
 		p.mutex.Unlock()
-
-		// Update hit counter
 		atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-		wasHit = true
-		// Ensure buffer is properly reset
 		*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 		return *buf
 	}
@@ -417,20 +392,14 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 	// Try sync.Pool next
 	if poolBuf := p.pool.Get(); poolBuf != nil {
 		buf := poolBuf.(*[]byte)
-		// Update hit counter
 		atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-		// Decrement pool size counter atomically
 		atomic.AddInt64(&p.currentSize, -1)
-		// Ensure buffer is properly reset and check capacity
+		// Fast capacity check - most buffers should be correct size
 		if cap(*buf) >= p.bufferSize {
-			wasHit = true
 			*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 			return *buf
-		} else {
-			// Buffer too small, allocate new one
-			atomic.AddInt64(&p.missCount, 1)
-			return make([]byte, 0, p.bufferSize)
 		}
+		// Buffer too small, fall through to allocation
 	}
 
 	// Pool miss - allocate new buffer with exact capacity
@@ -439,18 +408,7 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 }
 
 func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
-	start := time.Now()
-	defer func() {
-		latency := time.Since(start)
-		// Record metrics for frame pool (assuming this is the main usage)
-		if p.bufferSize >= GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordFramePoolPut(latency, cap(buf))
-		} else {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordControlPoolPut(latency, cap(buf))
-		}
-	}()
-
-	// Validate buffer capacity - reject buffers that are too small or too large
+	// Fast validation - reject buffers that are too small or too large
 	bufCap := cap(buf)
 	if bufCap < p.bufferSize || bufCap > p.bufferSize*2 {
 		return // Buffer size mismatch, don't pool it to prevent memory bloat
@@ -461,27 +419,19 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 
 	// Fast path: Try to put in lock-free per-goroutine cache
 	gid := getGoroutineID()
-	now := time.Now().Unix()
-
-	// Check if we have a TTL-based cache entry for this goroutine
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RLock()
 	entryWithTTL, exists := goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid]
+	goroutineCacheMutex.RUnlock()
+
 	var cache *lockFreeBufferCache
 	if exists && entryWithTTL != nil {
 		cache = entryWithTTL.cache
-		// Update last access time
-		entryWithTTL.lastAccess = now
+		// Update access time only when we successfully use the cache
 	} else {
-		// Fall back to legacy cache if needed
-		cache, exists = goroutineBufferCache[gid]
-	}
-	goroutineCacheMutex.RUnlock()
-
-	if !exists {
 		// Create new cache for this goroutine
 		cache = &lockFreeBufferCache{}
+		now := time.Now().Unix()
 		goroutineCacheMutex.Lock()
-		// Store in TTL-based cache
 		goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid] = &cacheEntry{
 			cache:      cache,
 			lastAccess: now,
@@ -495,6 +445,10 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 		for i := 0; i < len(cache.buffers); i++ {
 			bufPtr := (*unsafe.Pointer)(unsafe.Pointer(&cache.buffers[i]))
 			if atomic.CompareAndSwapPointer(bufPtr, nil, unsafe.Pointer(&buf)) {
+				// Update access time only on successful cache
+				if exists && entryWithTTL != nil {
+					entryWithTTL.lastAccess = time.Now().Unix()
+				}
 				return // Successfully cached
 			}
 		}
@@ -510,14 +464,12 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 	p.mutex.Unlock()
 
 	// Check sync.Pool size limit to prevent excessive memory usage
-	currentSize := atomic.LoadInt64(&p.currentSize)
-	if currentSize >= int64(p.maxPoolSize) {
+	if atomic.LoadInt64(&p.currentSize) >= int64(p.maxPoolSize) {
 		return // Pool is full, let GC handle this buffer
 	}
 
 	// Return to sync.Pool and update counter atomically
 	p.pool.Put(&resetBuf)
-	// Update pool size counter atomically
 	atomic.AddInt64(&p.currentSize, 1)
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/audio/cgo_audio.go b/internal/audio/cgo_audio.go
index 35187858..04bcdde8 100644
--- a/internal/audio/cgo_audio.go
+++ b/internal/audio/cgo_audio.go
@@ -1397,14 +1397,17 @@ func cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, err
 	}
 }
 
-// CGO function aliases
-var (
-	CGOAudioInit               = cgoAudioInit
-	CGOAudioClose              = cgoAudioClose
-	CGOAudioReadEncode         = cgoAudioReadEncode
-	CGOAudioPlaybackInit       = cgoAudioPlaybackInit
-	CGOAudioPlaybackClose      = cgoAudioPlaybackClose
-	CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy  = cgoAudioDecodeWrite
-	CGOAudioDecodeWrite        = cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers
-	CGOUpdateOpusEncoderParams = updateOpusEncoderParams
-)
+// Optimized CGO function aliases - use direct function calls to reduce overhead
+// These are now direct function aliases instead of variable assignments
+func CGOAudioInit() error                               { return cgoAudioInit() }
+func CGOAudioClose()                                    { cgoAudioClose() }
+func CGOAudioReadEncode(buf []byte) (int, error)        { return cgoAudioReadEncode(buf) }
+func CGOAudioPlaybackInit() error                       { return cgoAudioPlaybackInit() }
+func CGOAudioPlaybackClose()                            { cgoAudioPlaybackClose() }
+func CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buf []byte) (int, error) { return cgoAudioDecodeWrite(buf) }
+func CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	return cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+}
+func CGOUpdateOpusEncoderParams(bitrate, complexity, vbr, vbrConstraint, signalType, bandwidth, dtx int) error {
+	return updateOpusEncoderParams(bitrate, complexity, vbr, vbrConstraint, signalType, bandwidth, dtx)
+}
diff --git a/internal/audio/input_ipc.go b/internal/audio/input_ipc.go
index 6a42998f..e04fe573 100644
--- a/internal/audio/input_ipc.go
+++ b/internal/audio/input_ipc.go
@@ -501,36 +501,26 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) processMessage(msg *InputIPCMessage) error {
 
 // processOpusFrame processes an Opus audio frame
 func (ais *AudioInputServer) processOpusFrame(data []byte) error {
-	if len(data) == 0 {
-		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
+	// Fast path: skip empty frame check - caller should handle this
+	dataLen := len(data)
+	if dataLen == 0 {
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Use ultra-fast validation for critical audio path
-	if err := ValidateAudioFrame(data); err != nil {
-		// Skip logging in hotpath to avoid overhead - validation errors are rare
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
+	// Inline validation for critical audio path - avoid function call overhead
+	if dataLen > cachedMaxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
-	// Get cached config for optimal performance
+	// Get cached config once - avoid repeated calls and locking
 	cache := GetCachedConfig()
-	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
-	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
-	if cache.initialized.Load() {
-		cache.mutex.RLock()
-		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
-		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
-		if cacheExpired {
-			cache.Update()
-		}
-	} else {
-		cache.Update()
-	}
+	// Skip cache expiry check in hotpath - background updates handle this
 
 	// Get a PCM buffer from the pool for optimized decode-write
 	pcmBuffer := GetBufferFromPool(cache.GetMaxPCMBufferSize())
 	defer ReturnBufferToPool(pcmBuffer)
 
-	// Process the Opus frame using optimized CGO implementation with separate buffers
+	// Direct CGO call - avoid wrapper function overhead
 	_, err := CGOAudioDecodeWrite(data, pcmBuffer)
 	return err
 }
@@ -720,25 +710,20 @@ func (aic *AudioInputClient) SendFrame(frame []byte) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("not connected to audio input server")
 	}
 
-	if len(frame) == 0 {
+	frameLen := len(frame)
+	if frameLen == 0 {
 		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
 	}
 
-	// Validate frame data before sending
-	if err := ValidateAudioFrame(frame); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("Frame validation failed")
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if len(frame) > maxFrameSize {
-		return fmt.Errorf("frame too large: got %d bytes, maximum allowed %d bytes", len(frame), maxFrameSize)
+	// Inline frame validation to reduce function call overhead
+	if frameLen > maxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
 	msg := &InputIPCMessage{
 		Magic:     inputMagicNumber,
 		Type:      InputMessageTypeOpusFrame,
-		Length:    uint32(len(frame)),
+		Length:    uint32(frameLen),
 		Timestamp: time.Now().UnixNano(),
 		Data:      frame,
 	}
@@ -755,26 +740,25 @@ func (aic *AudioInputClient) SendFrameZeroCopy(frame *ZeroCopyAudioFrame) error
 		return fmt.Errorf("not connected to audio input server")
 	}
 
-	if frame == nil || frame.Length() == 0 {
+	if frame == nil {
+		return nil // Nil frame, ignore
+	}
+
+	frameLen := frame.Length()
+	if frameLen == 0 {
 		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
 	}
 
-	// Validate zero-copy frame before sending
-	if err := ValidateZeroCopyFrame(frame); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("Zero-copy frame validation failed")
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if frame.Length() > maxFrameSize {
-		return fmt.Errorf("frame too large: got %d bytes, maximum allowed %d bytes", frame.Length(), maxFrameSize)
+	// Inline frame validation to reduce function call overhead
+	if frameLen > maxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
 	// Use zero-copy data directly
 	msg := &InputIPCMessage{
 		Magic:     inputMagicNumber,
 		Type:      InputMessageTypeOpusFrame,
-		Length:    uint32(frame.Length()),
+		Length:    uint32(frameLen),
 		Timestamp: time.Now().UnixNano(),
 		Data:      frame.Data(), // Zero-copy data access
 	}
@@ -945,10 +929,7 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startReaderGoroutine() {
 						consecutiveErrors++
 						lastErrorTime = now
 
-						// Log error with context
-						logger.Warn().Err(err).
-							Int("consecutive_errors", consecutiveErrors).
-							Msg("Failed to read message from input connection")
+						// Skip logging in hotpath for performance - only log critical errors
 
 						// Progressive backoff based on error count
 						if consecutiveErrors > 1 {
@@ -1019,16 +1000,12 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
 		defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
 
-		// Set high priority for audio processing
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		if err := SetAudioThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-			logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("Failed to set audio processing priority")
-		}
-		defer func() {
-			if err := ResetThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-				logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("Failed to reset thread priority")
-			}
-		}()
+		// Set high priority for audio processing - skip logging in hotpath
+		_ = SetAudioThreadPriority()
+		defer func() { _ = ResetThreadPriority() }()
+
+		// Create logger for this goroutine
+		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputServerComponent).Logger()
 
 		// Enhanced error tracking for processing
 		var processingErrors int
@@ -1057,17 +1034,10 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 					processingErrors++
 					lastProcessingError = now
 
-					logger.Warn().Err(err).
-						Int("processing_errors", processingErrors).
-						Dur("processing_time", processingTime).
-						Msg("Failed to process input message")
+					// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
 
 					// If too many processing errors, drop frames more aggressively
 					if processingErrors >= maxProcessingErrors {
-						logger.Error().
-							Int("processing_errors", processingErrors).
-							Msg("Too many processing errors, entering aggressive drop mode")
-
 						// Clear processing queue to recover
 						for len(ais.processChan) > 0 {
 							select {
@@ -1085,7 +1055,7 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 				// Reset error counter on successful processing
 				if processingErrors > 0 {
 					processingErrors = 0
-					logger.Info().Msg("Input processing recovered")
+					// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
 				}
 
 				// Update processing time metrics
diff --git a/internal/audio/validation.go b/internal/audio/validation.go
index 06381fd8..1bfbfbcf 100644
--- a/internal/audio/validation.go
+++ b/internal/audio/validation.go
@@ -426,44 +426,36 @@ func InitValidationCache() {
 // This is the primary validation function used in all audio processing paths
 //
 // Performance optimizations:
-// - Uses AudioConfigCache to eliminate GetConfig() call overhead
+// - Uses cached max frame size to eliminate config lookups
 // - Single branch condition for optimal CPU pipeline efficiency
-// - Inlined length checks for minimal overhead
-// - Pre-allocated error messages for minimal allocations
+// - Minimal error allocation overhead
 //
 //go:inline
 func ValidateAudioFrame(data []byte) error {
-	// Fast path: empty check first to avoid unnecessary cache access
+	// Fast path: check length against cached max size in single operation
 	dataLen := len(data)
 	if dataLen == 0 {
 		return ErrFrameDataEmpty
 	}
 
-	// Get cached config - this is a pointer access, not a function call
-	cache := GetCachedConfig()
-
-	// Use atomic access to maxAudioFrameSize for lock-free validation
-	maxSize := int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
-
-	// If cache not initialized or value is zero, use global cached value or update
+	// Use global cached value for fastest access - updated during initialization
+	maxSize := cachedMaxFrameSize
 	if maxSize == 0 {
-		if cachedMaxFrameSize > 0 {
-			maxSize = cachedMaxFrameSize
-		} else {
+		// Fallback: get from cache only if global cache not initialized
+		cache := GetCachedConfig()
+		maxSize = int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
+		if maxSize == 0 {
+			// Last resort: update cache and get fresh value
 			cache.Update()
 			maxSize = int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
-			if maxSize == 0 {
-				// Fallback to global config if cache still not initialized
-				maxSize = GetConfig().MaxAudioFrameSize
-			}
 		}
+		// Cache the value globally for next calls
+		cachedMaxFrameSize = maxSize
 	}
 
-	// Optimized validation with error message
+	// Single comparison for validation
 	if dataLen > maxSize {
-		// Use formatted error since we can't guarantee pre-allocated error is available
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: frame size %d exceeds maximum %d bytes",
-			ErrFrameDataTooLarge, dataLen, maxSize)
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 	return nil
 }