MIDI notes recorded earlier than they sound

I am not talking about tiny timing differences here. A few milliseconds I could live with, but I am talking about much larger distances - take a look at Xtigma’s screenshot. 150ms + is unacceptable.

Yes, it is unacceptable. It is also uncommon that it is that much after all the corrections that have been done by you.
I would now repeat my support request to Steinberg (plus a teensy little grumble about slow service) and also a support request to your soundcard’s site as it looks like something in your rig is so far out that Cubase cannot compensate.

Is there something in common with all you guys that are affected? A circuit board with a common opto-isolation or clock chip maker perhaps?