Hello all,
It's good to see some further thoughts on the matter: Ive looked at the folder path plus file name character count I typically use, and that comes in at well under 128 in my case so that's not causing my problem but I'll keep it in mind (I'm using a 2011.5 model RB).

Many saves further on I'm still switching when necessary to an MME driver and so far so good.

And an afterthought about ASIO - another use besides recording and playing-along-with is to drastically reduce hang-time when adjusting volumes etc. when working with the mix; it helps keep my mind on the music and off the tech.

(Afterthought no.2: where I come from, ASIO is an acronym for one of our local spook agencies - Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation - so it always has a slightly weird resonance for me in the audio driver context!)

Clinton.