Interface VS Sound Card, or both?

[Mazzida]

I'm currently looking into expanding my home recording, and researching sound cards. I just have a few questions regarding this.

I read that an Audio Interface overrides any other sound cards, however, the output of that interface can be routed to a sound card for output. So if you wanted, you would be able to utilize the interface for input purposes only, and the sound card for output purposes only.

Firstly, would this show any benefit in sound quality, either in recording or playback if an interface was of high quality? Or would a high quality interface just make the sound card redundant?

and secondly, would this rerouting result in higher latency?

Thanks very much

 

[TimOBrien]

You are over-thinking.

An interface IS a soundcard; you just need one to replace the cheap junk built into your computer.