James,
No doubt recording devices need to be carefully constructed. As stated, in older Color T.V. sets, the Video was delayed one micro second because the color portion needed that time to sync up with the video. Now on to Signal to noise ratio. A 50 db s/n is considered excellent and very few recorders were much better. And, if I remember correctly, to acheve a better s/n ratio some frequency response was sacrificed. In FM receivers, a s/n ratio of 30 db was considered bare minimum for basic listening. That was the test many audio magazines used to see what signal input was needed to get a listenable signal.

Audio devises, such as a Preamplifier for a Condenser Microphone are very basic. A tube Preamp will most likely contain one tube, actually 2 tubes in one envelope, such as the 12ax7 tube. Hence there is 2 stages of Amplification of which is more that adequate to allow a good s/n in the system.

I imagine the Standards haven't changed much since they were set many years ago. The EIA, ELECTRONICS STANDARDS ASSOCATION has been around for ages. While Computers are new General Microphone and other devices such as Magnetic Phono Cartrages have to be compatiable with each other. the EIA was responsiable for all those Standards of which are still in effect today. So when you buy different audio devices they will be compatiable.

Sound Cards are no different. And Sound Cards are very basic devices. True some may be barely adequate but I doubt that a Computer Manufacturer goes out of his way to buy a bad product.

Most likely A Computer Company buys the parts from other places for the comouter. Just like a car company buys some things from someone else.

Ray E. Strode