In 6.1a2, loading alsa-modules doesn't modprobe any modules. In 6.0, it loads a bunch that aren't needed, at least not by me:
snd_soc_wm8804
snd_soc_tas5713
snd_soc_pcm512x
snd_soc_bcm2708_i2s
snd_soc_core
snd_pcm_dmaengine
snd_compress
spi_bcm2708
i2c_bcm2708
regmap_i2c
regmap_spi
regmap_mmio
So, as you point out, 6.0 loads modules for USB and SPI sound, but not onboard sound. Isn't that a little backwards?