actually, i think i can answer that. it was fine until i reinstalled the mixer drivers, then the pci card went back to the same flat sound - and consistency remained across the cards. so, it's a driver conflict. but, then i fixed it by running the registry part of the driver install.

i'm spinning myself around in circles. if i leave the registry part of the driver install on, i get the clock fades. if i don't, i get a driver conflict. i'm going to have to hone in on that and just take out specific parts - probably just the clock driver.

mild levels of testing are still necessary, but i think this is it.