Hey RME, Lynx, etc...owners.... question

You can get a lot of options in the 8 or 4 range - anywhere from ~ $300-to$1000. Some folks tend to gravitate toward more esoteric devices, but I don't see the value in these for home project recording. I'm using a MOTU ultralite, 2 pre's plus 8 I/O - plenty to go around for home use, rugged enough it doesn't mind being tossed in a bag.

yeah... I'm looking at the RME Babyface with 3 analog inputs... which would barely be enough.  Wondering if it is a jump that I WOULD HEAR from my Layla.
 
The MOTU ultralight is high on the list too.  Seems to be around $500ish or so and in a "comfortable" price range.  $1500 pushes things a bit and almost out of the thought process.  The Babyface is only $750.

btw... I'd probably pass on the PreSonus and stuff of that caliber.  I'd think it'd be a step backwards from my Layla. 
 

thx... the bigger RME stuff jumps to the $2k price and gives a pile of in/outs.   I'd like 4 analog inputs if possible.  Two is a little limiting, but I only need more about 5% of the time... which is enough to justify more than stereo ins.
I can't seem to find a high caliber, <$1000 unit that has 4 inputs analog.  I don't want to get into the ADAT interface junk....unless I'm missing some options there.  I'd rather have dedicated pres and channel strips and just the line ins on the AD converters.  I wish someone like RME would make that and skip their pres as well.  ...for UNDER $1000.
All the stuff seems geared with these universal inputs (XLR/line)...and I'd just take all balanced line ins.  A couple stereo pair outs for cans would be nice...otherwise just the stereo outs work too.

Adat in/out would be the optimum route if you mainly use 2 inputs but sometimes need more.  Babyface or Audient iD22.
 
The lynx stuff is superb, but is $2000 for 8 x 8.  However, you'll be pro level for each of them.  The USB works fine.
 
I'm happy w/ my TCK 48, but that is a FW unit.  And they had lots of trouble getting the drivers right, which is probably why they haven't stuck usb on it.  Shame, since it sounds really nice (esp. the DA, 12 x 10 + ADAT + spdif, top notch dsp effects). 

Adat in/out would be the optimum route if you mainly use 2 inputs but sometimes need more.  Babyface or Audient iD22.
 
The lynx stuff is superb, but is $2000 for 8 x 8.  However, you'll be pro level for each of them.  The USB works fine.
 
I'm happy w/ my TCK 48, but that is a FW unit.  And they had lots of trouble getting the drivers right, which is probably why they haven't stuck usb on it.  Shame, since it sounds really nice (esp. the DA, 12 x 10 + ADAT + spdif, top notch dsp effects). 

While researching my own interface needs, I ran across an amazing dude, mikeriversaudio, who does extensive technical papers on interfaces... I have both the Forte and the Presonus AudioBox 44VSL and his two white papers for these answered all my questions about each... you should check them out and then visit his site and review his analysis of anything you're considering... I'm a google/infomaniac and I've never seen better discussions/analysis than his... I'm talkin' 21 pages on the Forte... NO FLUFF... and the 44VSL is longer...
http://mikeriversaudio.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/focusrite_forte_review1.pdf
http://mikeriversaudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/presonus-audiobox_44vsl_review_mikerivers.pdf

some great replies and I see some good reading in the links above...thx Vastman.
 
it's interesting the [older]PCI versions of the RME Hammerfall are just so unbelievably inexpensive, selling used on Ebay, but you'd be locked into a PCI motherboard in a computer.  It's really too bad there isn't a PCI>USB or PCIe converter...   which I know there is but it is so crazy expensive ($2k+ I seem to remember when researching), that make it unpracticable.... might as well get a new interface.
The RME Babyface is looking more and more desirable.
 

thx gswitz....I'll check the forums as well.  Problem is this kind of *research* is almost as fun as actual recording !