Pci/firewire Audio Interface Options, Best buy? Options

[Neilsonite]

Hi everyone, this is my first post, so be nice...

I'm buying a dual 867 G4 for midi programming (Reason) and audio recording (probably Logic, when it comes out for OS X), and I need some advice about audio interface options.

I will mostly be recording one or two tracks at a time (guitar/bass/vocals/keys), but will also want to record drums (which obviously requires more tracks). So, I figure I need an interface with 8 or so inputs, 2 of which have good preamps. This way, I can record guitars/vocals whenever I want, and when I want to record drums I can hire a good mixer and mikes and use up to 8 (or so) inputs (without having to pay up front for 8 good preamps, which I will rarely use).

So, I need:
- 8 audio inputs, 2 with good preamps
- 24/96
- MIDI would be good
- OS X support
- Firewire strikes me as cool, but PCI would also be fine
- Not stupidly expensive

Any recommendations? I've been thinking about MOTU 828/896, Presonus Firestation, M-Audio Delta 1010-LT, Edirol DA-2496...
Most of these have some compromises, are there any others I should be looking at? Anyone have any info on new hardware coming as a result of Apple's Emagic acquisition that I should be waiting for?

Thanks!
Neilsonite

P.S. Sorry this post is a bit long...

[Levon River]

Following up my own message <A-hem>: I just read a new message from BusError (see the thread called "Ezbus thingy") that says, unfortunately, that Event doesn't plan support for their EZ-8 PCI digital I/O card under OS X!

(I just sent them e-mail. )

So that takes a little of the bloom off the rose, but the EZBus unit itself is *still* very impressive, and a lot of bang for the buck by comparison to other units (in my opinion), and it does have two mic preamps on board (something I hadn't mentioned before, which you said was a requirement for your needs).

Finally, on the digital I/O, the EZBus unit itself has it onboard, so *presumably* that would work with *any* digital I/O card for Macs that *do* (or will) support OS X, but I can't say that for a fact.

Good luck with your shopping.