You got my setup all right !
Here is the results of the tests :
1. OK : i got sound playing from my motherboard soundcard
2. i connect the U44 to a usb2 port. i check that windows is not using the sc (as default speakers or recorder) : should i check something else ?
3. restarting Cross, selecting U-Mix 44 ASIO driver, playing the same track : Cross does not start the playback when i press the "play" button. It stays as "checked" colored, but nothing happens.
https://snag.gy/iGLNa2.jpg4. unfortunately, the USB cable of the U-Mix 44 is sealed in the soundcard, there is no way to replace it. I however have doubt about this being the problem because i tried 1 2 3 4 with my other sc (U46DJ) and got the exact same result