I wanted to point out here that in OS 8.1 Apple has reduced the sound output
latency in the MacOS to 11.6 ms (512 sample frames) from 25 ms (probably due
to the many cries over the years by RT audio developers).  When combined with
the cooperative multi-tasking which allows us audio developers to hog the
entire CPU, the MacOS makes a nice balance between UI and performance.
-- 
Mike Berry
mikeb@nmol.com
http://www.nmol.com/users/mikeb