Sorry yes, should have given you the environment info.
 
Onboard card is disabled, at OS level, still enabled in the BIOS for now.
 
Windows 7 64-bit
Intel Core 2 Q9300 2.5GHz
Mainboard Gigabyte P35C-DS3R
8GB of RAM
OS and apps on 250SSD
DATA on  2 x 1TB drives
 
Everything is working fine now.

Oh the Atari 1040ST!  My home setup in 1990 was one of them running C-Lab Notator (with Dongle!), a Roland D-10 and Akai S950.  Happy days...

I don't know how old your Saffire is but I would like to give you this tip. I don't know what's causing it but I always have to let the computer boot up with the Saffire hooked up. After the boot the Saffire is always distorted sounding. I simply unplug the USB and plug it back in after it has completely shutdown. Then the sound is crystal clear. I have asked for help on here but no one seems interested or has an explanation. I don't know if yours will have this behavior but mine has had it since running in Windows 7. Again, if someone has an explanation I would love to see it here.