Version:            (using KDE 4.1.3)
Compiler:          gcc 4.3 
OS:                Linux
Installed from:    Ubuntu Packages

Going to System Settings and clicking Sound brings up the device preference tab. Changes made there "take" for awhile but later the list reverts to its default state (which emits sound from the wrong sound card). It seems to be at a random interval, but never "takes" for very long. 

In addition, Apply Device List to seems to not actually commit the changes made. The only files changed in .kde/share/config don't seem to get any real changes.

Temporary workaround: I don't use phonon at all. I have the notifications set up to execute soundplayer and I avoid phonon in other software.

This is with the Xine backend although that doesn't seem to matter. Sound devices: Intel ICH, Creative XFi, Audigy SE (Gets two entries). I also have an entry for ESound (ESD). The XFi driver is the latest beta but this problem happened BEFORE installing that driver anyway.

I do have a bluetooth dongle which appears to not do anything and there are no audio devices provided by it.