best way to add audio inputs?

[timandjes]

I have a sound card with one line in, one line out, a mic in, and a midi/joystick connector. I'm considering upgrading to something with more features... What's the best way to go?.....

1. To use my existing sound card and something like a Roland UA-1D USB Digital Audio Capture with Stereo input - Stereo output
Optical/coaxial S/P DIF input and output jacks. I could use this USB adapter and my sound card at the same time right? Creating 3 "ins" or

2. to just replace my sound card with something like an Audiophile 2496 with 4 "ins"

Option 1 would cost about $90 and option 2 would cost about $160.

Any suggestions?

 

[Seanmorse79]

I'm pretty sure you're going to have problems with sync if you're recording from 2 different cards at once. I

You'll probably start noticing a bit of a "drift" around the 2 minute mark. Then you've got to replace the monitor you smashed out of anger --even more money.

Stick with the Audiophile, or another 4 input card.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I doubt the 2 cards will drift in sync. Most likely there will just be driver conflicts and they wont work at the same time. Even if they do you would be better off with one stable, high quality card.