A/D soundcard selection help

[Lucian]

I have been trolling ebay for two days now and have 54 items on watch.
The variety of configurations is somewhat overwhelming and I was wondering
if any of you have any opinions on what works best with the following in mind.
I multi-track by myself so I don't need a dozen inputs, I would like 2 XLR input converter that connects via PCI. something like an M-Audio audio buddy or digidesign Mbox (if I can get one cheap enough.) but I am unsure how to get the digital out into the computer...SPDIF into a PCI card? or the other route is to go with a PCI card combined with breakout box like with something from ECHO. Any product suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Lucian]

M-Audio soundcard or mbox?

will having scanned all the threads, I am leaning towards an M-Audio soundcard with the idea of using just the SPDIF inputs and choosing the
best external A/D converter-break out box I can afford. cardwise, there is the MAudio D410 or the MAudio Audiophile 2496 which has been suggested a few times in earlier threads as a good starter card although I am not a beginner to this. I started on the first 4 tracker made, the X-19 way back in the early 80's, this is just more a budget concern. I figure ~$100 is ok for a card that simply brings a digital signal in and I can spend on the external breakout box. Does anybody use a setup like this or is a whole package give the same sound results like the delta-66 package. I am leary of whole packages as usually one component rocks and the others are just average. Does anyone use a mixed brand system? I figure my max budget being under $500 so I could get an Mbox but figure a custum config could be alot cheaper and sound just as good