The M-Audio 2496 is a great $150 starter card. EMU has just come out with the model 0404 for $99 that looks very good, and Terratec has just started shipping the Phase 22 for about $110 that also look very good. Note that the EMU has on-board DSP for a killer price. All support both audio and MIDI.
Delta 44 actually doesn't have MIDI. The Emus do, and I'm not sure about the Terratec off hand. The patchmix that comes with the Emu isn't the easiest to learn; honestly, I think the easiest drivers to work with are the ESI aka Ego Systems cards.I'd say put the Echo MiaMidi on your short list as well as the Delta Audiophile if you need something quick and easy fro recording and MIDI.