I am finally going to bite the bullet and buy a usb interface.  I have shied away from them because they sucked
when they first came out.  I have always used pci or firewire.  I have seen Motu praised on this forum a lot and have
owned a motu firewire before.    I thought it was good quality.  I am looking at the models I listed in the title.  Any feedback woud be appreciated.  I want the ability to record at least 8 tracks at once

I recently got an 896mk3 Hybrid.  It replaced a Roland USB unit and has better latency.
Latency at 64 sample buffer (44.1Khz):
Input 2.7 msec 121 samples
Output 3.3 msec 1024 samples
Total Roundtrip 6.1msec 267 samples
 
I don't see an 823 listed on the MOTU site.
http://motu.com/products
 

Running a MOTU Ultralite MkIII Hybrid in Firewire mode, although it can do USB as well. There's also an AVB model which does USB as well, but drops the Firewire interface. Same 64 sample latency as Fireberd, 6.1ms, though it's really a moot point. It's got a built-in real-time monitor mixer w/effects, no need to 'echo-thru' the DAW when recording.

thanks guys.  Actually there isn't an 823.  Mymistake. my post should have said 828x vs 828 mk 3

It appears that the 828x and 828mk 3 are very similar.  the X is a hybrid usb/thunderbolt and the mk 3 is hybrid usb/firewire
 The 896 has xlr jacks, preamps, and is also a hybrid usb/firewire

The 828x doesn't offer "PCIe via Thunderbolt"... so you won't see any performance gain by using it vs. the mkIII.
If you're after the lowest possible round-trip latency, go with the newer AVB series.
The Ultralite AVB is a very good audio interface... especially when you factor in cost.
The larger AVB units (1248, 8M, etc) offer specs that are slightly better than the RME UFX.
 
The best USB audio interfaces are great performers.
I leave my RME Fireface UFX on a 48-sample ASIO buffer size much of the time.
 
If you go with an audio interface that's a proven rock-solid performer...
The beauty is that you'll rarely give it a second thought.
It just works... without fail... without glitches... without hassle

^ agreed..
I agonized for a few months before i pulled the trigger on an 828mkIII hybrid, and could not be happier..simply rock solid and reliable, and now extended via ADAT.

Mystic38
^ agreed..
I agonized for a few months before i pulled the trigger on an 828mkIII hybrid, and could not be happier..simply rock solid and reliable, and now extended via ADAT.

Being on a very tight budget, I bought my Ultralite MK3 Hybrid used on eBay. Had to lurk like a sniper, waiting for the right moment. I landed it for $300... It's still in pristine condition. The Motu's are built like a tank.
 

I looked on the motu website. it has the 828x under the AVB series.  The 828 mk3 is supposed to be virtually identical except it is dual firewire/usb instead of usb/thunderbolt.  Will I get the same latency with the mk 3?

I was going to buy the 828mk3 but was told it was primarily designed to be an expansion unit for the 896mk3 Hybrid.  I had the extra $$ so I took the advice and bought the 896mk3 Hybrid.