Audio Interface questions

[SerratedFrond]

Ive come to a standstill in my own research and I thought maybe someone around here could give me some advice/opinions.

So before I get to deep into this my first question is.
Do I Still need to buy another interface when I have an A/D converter like the ones listed below?
If so: Would my audigy 2 suffice for this, since the DAC's would be bypassed anyway?

So Ive found a couple candidates for both Interface/Dac's and Preamps.

Interfaces:
+ Lucid AD9624 http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/a--3745/item--LUCAD9624
(With the DA9624 at the other end)
+ RME AD12 http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/a--3745/item--RMEADI2
+Apogee Rosetta 200 http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/rosetta200.php

Preamp:
Avalon "VT-737" http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/a--3745/item--AVAVT737SP
Grace "101" http://www.gracedesign.com/products/101/model101.htm
FMR "RNP" http://www.fmraudio.com/RNP8380.htm
Groove Tube "The Brick" http://www.recording.org/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=27

I need some help widdling this list down.

How important is a word clock?
What is my best option for Midi ins and outs? Keep the trashy Aud2 I have just for the Midi and run everything through Spdif? Or can I somehow buy a seperate midi controller?


To make things more complicated. Ive seen these two converters at my local pawn shop for what I think is a decent price. What can you tell me about them?
Apogee AD 8000
AVID Meridien 888

 

[Rick Shepherd]

Based upon what you have listed, the best setup would be the apogee 200 and he Avalon by a long shot.

 

[tnjazz]

agree, although the Grace 101 is also a good choice. I'd still go with the Rosetta and the Avalon though.

The Apogee AD8000 is a very nice box. Don't know anything about the other one, although it sounds like an older Digidesign unit (Avid is the parent company of Digi).

Sounds like you found a pretty cool pawnshop though...

 

[SerratedFrond]

So if I can pick up that AD800 for less then 800 I should bite?

Id say these are my most pressing questions though.
Do I Still need to buy another interface when I have an A/D converter like the ones listed below?

If so: Would my audigy 2 suffice for this, since the DAC's would be bypassed anyway?

What is my best option for Midi ins and outs? Keep the trashy Aud2 I have just for the Midi and run everything through Spdif? Or can I somehow buy a seperate midi controller?