You will need pres as well as AD-DA. You might check out a couple of good
Firewire boxes:
MOTU 828 MkII, $750 at GC and Sam Ash - 10 analog I/Os
Presonus Firestation $499 at GC 8 analog I/Os, 2 XLR pres (tube I think)

USB 2.0 = Roland UA1000 $850 at GC

--


---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you still wasting your time with spam?...
There is a solution!"

Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector
The most powerful anti-spam software available.
http://mail.spaminspector.com


"Tommi" wrote in message
...

"Darren Pallen" wrote in message
...

I am looking to upgrade into a more "Pro Audio" sound card and interface
solution. I don't mind an external breakout box, although I surely like
how
the Sound Blaster sits neatly inside my tower. I am running Windows
2000,
but will probably upgrade to XP. My editing software is Adobe Audition
(Cool Edit Pro).

Here's my wish list for a "Pro Audio" sound card:

1. Convenient microphone plug-in (XLR or 1/4").
2. Microphone gain adjustment in a handy place.
3. Phantom power. I may move to a good condenser microphone soon.
4. Budget of $500.00 or so, but I will spend a little more if need be.
I
want to do this right.

What would you buy based on the above criteria? One final question: Do
these "Pro Audio" sound cards offer playback as well as recording? I
will

If you're going to spend around 500$, I'd personally recommend either the
delta 1010 or an St-Audio C-port package. Delta 1010 doesn't have XLR's if
I
remember correctly, but the C-Port has two. Check it out at the st-audio
website. It's got a headphone output with volume knob, two preamps(not
very
special but what would expect at that price) with nice level knobs,
phantom
power, 2 XLR outputs etc..Both the cards I mentioned are very good,
compared
to their price. I prefer the C-port however.