GIM thanks for recommending liquid mix.  It really sounds awesome.  Here's how to get it to work:
 
1. use legacy drivers on your firewire card,
2. use jbridge
 
That's really all it requires for me.  No more crashes and it works great.  TI firewire card OR VIA card will work.  You can pick these up for next to nothing now.  I think GC has a used one for $49 as we speak.  Sorry if this is a redundant post, couldn't curb my enthusiasm.

Ohh man,i really understand your happyness!
Liquid mix is really awesome and it's a shame the focusrite behavior!!
Glad to help you.
Best

Make sure and only have it  open on one project at a time  though (i.e.an open project  using LM), otherwise it goes nuclear.  Thanks again!