Emi 6i2m Packaged With Logic Gold Production Kit, Should I pick a different sound card? Options

[rafisaar]

Switching from an old PowerMac 8600 to a G5, I now need to convert my SV Pro to Logic/DP and buy a new MIDI and sound card(s) (to replace my old Digi Audiomedia III).

While shopping for options, I found Emagic's Logic Gold Production Kit, which Sam Ash is selling for $749.99.
It includes Logic Gold, the EMI 6I2m sound/MIDI card, + 3 more Emagic software products (EVB3, EVP88, and EXSP24-sampler).

Question is: how's the EMI 6I2m?
I've read one person complaining about the Emagic sound cards, but that was just 1 person.

How does it compare to my other options?
I don't want something expensive, but I also won't compromise on latency problems, pops and clicks, or hisses.

MIDI is a must and I need 2 audio inputs since I'm using a small Mackie analog mixer.
So far I don't need digital I/O (although I have no idea what the future will bring).
Is USB good enough or do I absolutely have to get a FireWire card to overcome any latency issues?

The other cards that would interest me are the Tascam US-122 (USB, no S/PDIF) and the M-Audio Firewire 410 (FW, incl. S/PDIF, surround, but more expensive).

When giving your advice and recommendations, please keep in mind the package deal and price that I would get with the Logic Gold kit as opposed to buying all pieces separately.


Thanks,
Rafi