How about Roland vs700 AD/DA? Is it even comparable to any of those brand names you named them?

I've had a number of audio interfaces over the years.  I always made sure I had more channels than I needed at the time to allow for future growth.  I have never found the specs of the interface (SNR, THD, etc) to be a limiting factor - decent converters capable of 24-bit recording are orders of magnitude better than the tape systems our predecessors had.
 
Every time I've needed to move to a new interface, it's no so much that I've out-grown it, but that driver support has disappeared.  I have now been a MOTU user for a few years.  What I really like is that I can plug in a 2408 rack unit from the 1990's and still run it on the latest drivers.
 
To be completely honest, it's hard to buy a mid-range (or better) interface that won't sound good these days.  Look for an interface with a proven track record of excellent driver support.  No matter how good the specs on paper look, bad or lack of up-to-date drivers will kill you in your tracks.  The old hands around here can point you in the right direction regarding devices that work well with Sonar.

After reading this http://keyboardmag.com/gear/1183/lynx-e44-pci-express-audio-card-now-available/50938
I realized I don't know if this would work or does it require an additional "section" like the RME's that need a PCI card (DigiFace or MultiFace).? Anyone? And if it works alone, what would you use to access the digital inputs? SPDIF, I get (like an Audient Mico has SPDIF outs), but I assume my Tascam us1641's SPDIF outs are only stereo. Is that so? I suppose I could get the AD card for my ISA One.
    I've been considering a Saffire Pro 26 with a FW card for my new i7, but am waiting to see reviews of the Tascam us16X08 and the Arturia AudioFuse, as that is more my "current budget".
    RE modded stuff. I just watched an eBAY auction for a BLA modded FireFace 800 (sold for $800+ with a burned out FW400 port) and started reading up on Black Lion after that. It's amazing how I can look in certain areas and then suddenly "discover" these other ones, like Black Lion Audio. Oh well, that is a boon from this forum.
    RE the $2500 budget. No one mentioned the Antelope Zen Studio. I would expect great things from them after loving my Aardvark Q10.
Michael
 
 
 
Michael
 

+1 on the Antelope stuff. I have an Orion32 sitting in front of me that goes into my RME HDSPe MADI card (the same one that Freddie mentioned earlier in the thread) and, to my ears, it sounds every bit as good as my Lynx Aurora.
 
Dean

Return of the living dead thread!  Two years later my stereo choices would be:
 
Used UA 2496 or whatever the # is.  $1800 plus a digital in/out.  A great converter using transformers for a big sound.
 
UA Apollo if you want effects - various prices.
 
Lynx Hilo - sub $2500.
 
Tascam UH-7000.  $400.  Plus you could get a Lynx pic-e AES card and run multiple units for a killer clean 8 X 8 system for about $2500.  Warning, I have discovered that running the TASCAM unit via digital results in some glitches when recording (even tho I'm not doing glitch).  Gotta fix that w/ my TC Konnekt 48 since I have a drummer coming over.
 
@

Ah yes...suckered again by not reading date stamps on prior posts. Hope the OP got a good interface and has enjoyed using it for the last two years 
 
Dean

I have been very satisfied with my RME FireFace UFX. But you have plenty of good suggestions here.
 
One thing that slightly annoys me is this attitude that the "big boys" or "pros" only use Pro Tools on a Mac. Well, the last time I checked, the definition or "pro" (short for professional" is that you are getting paid for your service or skill. I get paid for recording and mixing bands, artists, authors, comedians, short films, etc... In fact, my family depends on the income that I bring in from my audio work. By definition that would qualify me as a pro. And guess what? I use SONAR on a Windows PC. Shocking, I know. How can this be? 
 
What makes Pro Tools in a "league above" SONAR? If you truly seek an answer to this, you will find the answer is "nothing". It is all just advertising hype being force-fed to consumers. 
 
More importantly, if you are seeking to be a pro or a "big boy", you would be much better served by investing in a treated room, mics, pres, knowledge and experience. Don't waste time worry about not having Pro Tools on a Mac. If you can't get acceptable results with SONAR, getting Pro Tools is not going to help. Delving into the areas mentioned above will yield much better results. Getting a nice interface, like the OP is asking about is way more important then what DAW you use; even Pro Tools that any respectable big name studio must have to be a big name studio. I hope my sarcasm is received in good spirit. 

BRuys
To be completely honest, it's hard to buy a mid-range (or better) interface that won't sound good these days.  Look for an interface with a proven track record of excellent driver support.  No matter how good the specs on paper look, bad or lack of up-to-date drivers will kill you in your tracks.  The old hands around here can point you in the right direction regarding devices that work well with Sonar.

Hehe, I saw the dead thread but read it anyway... had to comment because the quote above nails the "big picture" accurately regardless. Drivers and support for them is paramount to longevity and issue reduction.

Ditto to Sylvan! When I ran my home studio and earned a third of my income from it (along with lessons and gigging 5-7 nights a week), I felt like a pro. I got my clients mostly from them hearing something I did. Word of mouth always worked great for me.
   Some of my favorite "pros" use "other than PT" DAWs. It is sort of like Neumann's vs ________ (pick your fave), It does come down to knowing how to get great results with what you have.
Michael

This came up from somewhere :  http://www.residentaudio.com/t4overview/
and this : http://www.residentaudio.com/t2-thunderbolt-interface/