Sound Blaster Recon3D, Z, or AE cards and ALchemy quality?

[djoye]

In the past I had spoken with someone using some form of USB Sound Blaster device that had ALchemy support. The discussion was regarding audio quality issues while using ALchemy with the USB SB device; apparently ALchemy settings that worked with internal SB cards didn't seem to work with the USB device, audio would break up as if the buffers and duration settings weren't right.

Is this also an issue with the newer SB internal cards as well or is this or is this likely just an issue with the USB device due to the bus it's using?