I think the problem with Linux and sound is there are so many set ups possible and I can get very lost trying to understand it. That said,

I'd imagine Jack which is commonly available on Linux is more advanced than anything you are likely to have used on Windows (although a free Win version is available)...

As said above, I have no problem with Linux and sound on my current Linux setup which has the following sound devices: Built in soundcard on MB (HDA NVidia), Edirol UM2 midi interface and Yamaha MW10C USB mixer work well. What's more, unlike with Windows where I would have to find and install from driver disks (and doubtless reboot each time), it all works straight out of the box on OpenSuse 11.3.