Much better
It's (almost) all good, now. I set-up an amp fed from the MI4 and ignored the Audigy altogether. I have sound and can even record multiple tracks without the distortion. The only trouble still left seems to be that I get random spikes in the line from the MI4...maybe something to do with the USB, but I have a brand new USB2 card to try, too, yet.
Honestly, the spikes make it sound like a record playing, and not even an old one, at that. I could live with it until I get something better, I think. Considering I paid little more for the box than Cubase would've cost all by itself, I think it'll all be okay in the end.
Now to lay some tracks and do some laundry.
Peace.
Brap