Neilsonite

Need Help Choosing Synth!

Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie in the process of researching a synth to buy, and I need some advice. Here are some useful details...
I will be using this live, and as a controller keyboard with the computer.
I want a range of quality 'normal' sounds, particularly piano, electric piano (Rhodes, etc), organ, and strings, as well as 'synth' style sounds such as pads, FX, etc (similar to those found in Reason, ie the samplers and Subtractor and Maelstrom synths). I don't need lots of drums, guitars, or other instruments - just 'keyboard' sounds. (He says, stating the obvious)...
I want a reasonably good keyboard (preferably with a piano-ish feel), but the sound quality is more important to me than the keyboard quality (although I realise that this will affect playability - I just want something good, not stellar and expensive).
Sequencing is not important, although some limited sequencing may come in useful in the future.
I don't mind if it's an all-in-one job or a separate sound module and keyboard. I don't want to spend too much, but I'm willing to be realistic in terms of paying for sound quality.
Any suggestions? Any ones to avoid? Any ones that are particularly good value for the money?
Thanks,
Neilsonite

Pci/firewire Audio Interface Options

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...