Essentially I'm not worried about inputs, I've got my analog inputs covered by the Behringer mixer, and the midi inputs covered by the Midisport 4x4. What I really need is something that can output 5.1 to my powered computer speakers (3x stereo mini jacks) that Sonar will be happy with because it apparently hates my onboard Realtek HD. lol
 
I need something $250 or less that can take over for the Realtek (play computer sounds, itunes, youtube etc) and will also work well with Sonar for surround mixing. Would the Focusrite 6i6 work for this? 
 
I don't even know where to start with this stuff, so any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Sorry, I have no recommendations. Was thinking the 6i6 or MOTU's Microbook II might do the job, but now, I'm not so sure what you can get for 5.1 connection ability at the specified price point.
 
If you can find a M Audio Delta 1010 Lt on eBay, and get the right cables to connect your PC speakers to it, that will do it. And will likely be less than $250, even if you have to buy the cables new.

Easy question to answer...
http://uk.focusrite.com/product-range/scarlett

Thanks for the suggestion Thomas! It looks like it would do exactly what I want, and I found several at terrific prices, but it looks like it's a PCI card and I only have PCIe slots. :(

Hi Boscoe:
 
An E-Mu 1212m PCIe or E-Mu 1616m PCIe will do it for you. There is one (1616m) on eBay for $200. Better be quick, description says like new. I will try to post the link below, but the forum may block it because of advertisement stuff. If I had the money right now, I would get that audio interface quickly! It's a great one, at a bargain price:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E...mp;hash=item3cfdd5a2ec

Ugh... that looks perfect, but it's EOL and that's scary as hell... It looks like they never really released Win 7 64 drivers, though there is a beta from 2010. Online I'm finding lots of people having problems, and a few that claim they have it working with Vista drivers... 
 
I'm torn, this would definitely do what I want, but if I can't get it working, I'm screwed...

Decisions, decisions, decisions.
 
I read about the drivers problems, yet it seems folk on Win 7 x64 got it working well. 
 
There was a recent thread about the E-Mu drivers, and some users posted links to the drivers that will work. You might want to give that thread a read fully, if you haven't, yet. Here's the link: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Upgrading-to-Sonar-Proneed-Emu-soundcard-drivers-m3248190.aspx 
 
There also may be the option of using the newest kX Project Audio Drivers version 3552 with the E-Mu, but that driver GUI is complex (to use), and the installer isn't installing well. It takes some manual effort to get the 3552 kX driver to install right (though there is a thread over at the kX Project support forum with detailed instructions on how to install kX and get it working), and it's not certain you can get full functionality of the audio interface using the kX drivers.
 
I'll tell you what, if you decide to get it, and you can't get it working. PM me and I'll buy it from you August 1st (at the price you may buy it for or some reasonable negotiable price, higher or lower than what you may pay for it).
 
Or look around and try to find something else, but at your price point it may be hard.
 
Doktor Avalanche posted in this thread implying about something in the the Scarlet line would work for what you want to do. Communicate with him and ask him for details on how you can get 5.1 connectivity from the one/s he thinks will work for that purpose.
 
I have a MOTU UltraLite-MK3 ($550), something like that will work, but it's not in your price range.
 
But, I'm serious about PMing me. I will most certainly get that audio interface working with the E-Mu drivers or the kX drivers.
 
Goodluck on whatever you end up doing. I keep an eye on this thread to see what you decide to do.

Hee hee, okay, an offer I cannot refuse. Done and done! :)
 
Thanks Thomas!

The E-Mu 1616m is a great audio interface at a great bargain price!
 
Keep us posted? 

Will do! :)