IIRC Ubuntu Studio (and most (all?) professional linux audio systems) uses JACK rather than ASLA/Pulse like most other versions of Ubuntu.
JACK has a reputation for being fiddly to set up, but puts great emphasis on low-latency/real-time and other professional use-cases. I'd expect it to be competitive, but don't really have the knowledge to make the comparisons myself.
I also would like to know your setup! I'd be very interested!
I was looking into whether I should purchase Windows or buy a Mac to run a DAW, but if you're saying that Ardour is good enough, then I can just install that this weekend!
