It looks to me that what I’ve learned was correct. It’s better to use Instruments Tracks than MIDI Tracks + VST Rack, whenever possible. I think stereolost has proven that (Good job).
I’ve noticed that there is a preference setting for multi-core operation of the Kontakt VST plug-in, as well as in the stand-alone. However, I’ve been told that it’s the DAW (Cubase), not the plug-in (Kontakt) that decides how the cores are used.
It would be nice to hear from one of the programmers, for a clarification of this issue.