[miklorsmith]

Update - laptop still not working. Looking at the processor, it's very low in usage. Through the laptop speakers there is no breakup, it's only using the USB preamp that causes the issue. I haven't had any other USB problems with the computer and all the latest drivers are installed.

I got the cabling to try to calibrate the soundcard but that introduced a whole new set of problems that my tired brain couldn't surmount.

The home rig works fine and I'm good with that for now. The evangelical "take it on the road" plan will have to wait for renewed energy to throw myself at the wall another hundred times.