Hey Chernman, I am in the same situation you are....looking. I am comparing the new Layla24 (since it does 24/96) to the Aardvark 24/96, among other things. At first was SOLD on the Aardvark because of the preamps, dsp mixing, dsp effects for monitoring (I know a few people who don't like to hear their voices without some reverb). However, I later find out that the Aarvark Direct series won't do the dsp effects when you are using it in 24/96. Bummer. Also the published specs for the converters don't compare well to many other cards.
I'm leaning more towards
the Layla24 ($700) since the specs are pretty good. I will utilize an outboard mixer ($150) for the monitor mix and will use
a Presonus Blue Tube Preamp (<$200). If, for some reason, I decide that I don't need all of the in's and out's, I may cheap out and get a Digital Audio Labs (Card Deluxe) ($400). It has great specs and people swear by them. I have been harrassing a local shop. They don't carry it, but the salesmen owns one and has talked me into looking into it.
I think the bottomline is you should keep everything in components. That way, you choose the preamp, card, software, etc. that suits you best.
Good luck...post your findings here so I can find out how you did.
Yadi
