Yes, stability matters.
I also have everything that I
can set, set to 16-bit at 44.1 KHz. However I have on occasion run into hardware that insists on 24-bit, or 48 KHz. I remember one Roland unit that absolutely would not lock at 44.1 when I tried to connect using S/PDIF.
The request Mal made is not just over a discussion of desired recording quality, where we could get into a long discussion (please don't) of dithering and rate conversion. It also includes compatibility.