[linux-audio-user] Latency question

[Daniel James]

> So that's not really use for me to have a 48 khz soundcard... Why
> such a design from the manufacturer?

48KHz is a neat multiple of 8KHz, which I think was the original 
sample rate used in telephony. DAT is also at 48KHz. 44.1KHz for CD 
audio is a bodge designed so that Sony video recorders could be used 
for mastering back in the 1970's:

http://www.jthz.com/mp3/CD-44100Hz.htm

Cheers

Daniel