Sounds like you are most concerned about the IMS - I seriously doubt this is a symptom of IMS.
This topic is interesting for me because I went through the same thing in March - bought my 986S in January and listened for every little sound, paranoid about IMS failure. Sometimes I would hear a new sound and go straight to 'IT MUST BE THE IMS -OH NO!!!' and realize I just had the passenger window down etc etc.
One day I pulled into to garage and let the car idle in neutral when I heard the rattle - and I thought that was the big one. Rattle was not loud, just noticeable in the garage.
Called the independent who had done all the work. He sounded slightly amused (so many of us freak out about the IMS) and had me push clutch in and out with motor running to see how it affected sound. It behaved just like you describe. He said it is perfectly normal and maybe the clutch needed servicing, but his advice was to drive it and not worry about it.
After that I decided to go ahead and get the IMS replaced so I could not worry about it and just enjoy the car. I had IMS and RMS replaced, new clutch and oil changed for $2,500. Now I dont worry about any sounds from the engine and had already planned for this expense as part of buying the car. Purchase prices are down low enough to go ahead and factor in IMS cost. Also I plan to keep the car as a 3rd car for fun so the investment will pay off over time.
You may want to consider doing the same thing - bite the bullet for the IMS and enjoy the car.
Hope this helps.
Gary
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