Looking for a replacement for my Sound needs

[FatRakoon]

Ok, I currently have a number of SoundCards, Mostly Creative, but a few others.

I am finding that I like the LiveDrive... I use pretty much all the functions that it offers, I use My Atari Falcon to write music, and I can use my PCs for the multiple inputs to then get the Music from my Atari into the PC for writing my CDs...

I use the Midi, Digital and Analog inputs of the live drives and they are fine, and they do the job very well indeed.

The thing is, that I plan on doing this with my DS3, and the Creative cards, while working ok, are just doing that... Working ok. Not good, just ok.

I am therefore looking for an alternative thats fairly cheap, but gives me a drive bay extention to the card that gives me...

1 - Analog Input
2 - Digital Optical Input
3 - Midi Input and Output

Mic not really needed but will be used if its there.

I currently use my Audiogy 2 ZS Platinum for this, and previously the XFI and before that my Audigy with the Live Drive from the SBLive and they have been ok as I said, but only ok.

Any suggestions?

 

[Dr.EM]

Not sure how much your willing to spend exactly. The Terratec Phase 88 offers all you need (and more) for £200. The digital input is coaxial though (convertors available).

The popular M-Audio 2496 (£50) card offers what you want with leads exiting the rear of the card (coax digital again, it is far more common in more studio orientated cards).

The E-MU 0404 (£60) offers all the connectivity you want (including optical digital) via the the rear of the card.

You might also consider external interfaces such as M-Audio Firewire Audiophile (£130). The digital is coax again. Also the Edirol UA-4FX (£100) seems to offer what you need

 

[FatRakoon]

Nah, previously, price has been an issue with the PCs - hence Creative as they offer many of the features of a pro card with all the benefits of them being so ****** nasty!

I got an M-Audio 2496... Doesnt do what I want but yes, you can get the Digital/Optical converter cant you?

The EMU seems good. Ill look into that one for sure.

External? - No, I would really prefer a drive-bay option as it wont be in my way like external... Its bad enough with my Atari's Optical being external too... I would prefer it internal.

I was looking at that edirol too funnily enough... Its USB isnt it?

All options so many thanks... I will look better into the EMU first though as thats seemingly the most likely option...

I also need the headphones option too however, so, if need be, it looks like I may need to go for new speakers instead if I cant have those???

Thanks a lot mate.