We do not use psync: our cloner is custom built, from the ground up, for speed and accuracy. Try benchmarking it against psync.
SATA drives don't really have jumpers, as far as I know... so I don't think it's jumpers. I just think it's a slow drive.
I think the MaxLine III is (very) quiet, but you'd have to check it yourself to be sure. I've also heard the most recent Seagates are much quieter than the older ones, too.