Audio cards/interfaces

Can anyone recommend a audio card that is guarranteed to have no compatibility problems with Sonar6 on a windows XP system? I have just been through a 2 and a half month nightmare with a presonus firestudio (that's fire STUDIO not firePOD). It made my play/rec transport go haywire and caused dropouts and all sorts of problems. After about 20 tech emails the story is its a compatibility issue which presonus are working on with a beta driver. I'm ditching the unit but want to make absolutely 100% sure that whatever else I get will work - with reliable stability. I am willing to pay a bit extra than firestudio price range. (The f.studio retailed about 1600 Australian dollars - US $1000? UK 800?) Doesn't have to have more than 8 pres; should have midi; firewire; 24bit; and be able to be used stand-alone. Thanks