AT
 
Lastly, blaming the interface is usually a fault in the driver and how it reacts to your particular hardware/software configuration.  Might as well blame the computer.  We see the same problem here in CAKEworld.  Despite intense testing, once software gets out to the multitude of computers people use, problems, big and small, crop up.  We just saw a fix added to last month's update because there was a problem that didn't get found in regular beta.
 
I haven't heard a modern interface in the last few years that doesn't sound good, and see the above TASCAM units.  One costs $200+ per channel, the other $20, and there is little difference between the two for the most part, sound-wise.

YES.

brundlefly
Whichever way you go, consider buying used. You'll get more interface for your money, and it's unusual that used electronics of recent vintage have issues. You might even be able to step up to RME.

Yes again. 
I used the Roland Quad Capture for years.  It was a total disaster with my system.  Bought a used RME Babyface for $400.  Money well-spent and $100 below your budget.

If you have the money, RME. Otherwise ur series. I have a ur22mkii I travel with. It's much better than my older 2i2.

Slugbaby
I've been using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for the last year and a half.  I've never had a crash, or any problem that looked like it was interface-related.   I'm very happy with the product.

Same here! Purchased the Scarlett 2i2 after upgrading my computer and so far I'm very happy. Their customer support is also extremely responsive. I had asked about the driver not remembering what buffer size I used in the last session and they promptly sent me a beta version that did just that!
 
But the feedback on RME is consistently positive especially when it comes to driver stability albeit, at a price!

Thank you all very much for the replies and suggestions!! 
 
 

AT
Crashes do happen and the midi icon will stay on after some.  The easiest way to get rid of it is to restart SONAR and then shut it down.

 
It’s not the midi icon (I don’t even know where it is, actually) that stays, it’s SONARPLT.exe in the task manager. And I can’t restart SONAR because it stays there even if try to terminate the process.
 
 

Studioguy1
Another thought.....re:  "SONARPL.exe stays in task manager.."   In Windows 7  hit ctrl-alt-del.  Then go into Start/applications and click on the Sonarpl.exe to END.  It will return you to the Windows 7 screen.    Sonar will start then just fine.

 
If I hit ctrl-alt-del, I only see five options (with task manager being the fifth one), and don’t see Start/applications anywhere on the screen. Am I missing something?

AT
Lastly, blaming the interface is usually a fault in the driver and how it reacts to your particular hardware/software configuration. Might as well blame the computer.

JonD
I don't know what troubleshooting steps you've taken, but will assume you've done the usual things like turning off wi-fi, USB power mgmt, and all other background tasks. Also, that you are connected to USB 2 port (not USB 3)...

jackson white
the issues you mentioned sound like they could be related to your PC config. I've used the Quad Capture with a laptop to track some audio (no Kontakt-heavy projects) and while generally OK, did have its driver problems every so often, requiring a reboot.

 
The device is connected to USB2 port (as instructed). Also, only heavy projects have this issue (fail to play any sound). And if I freeze a synth or start deleting a synth/plugin effect, etc. the project suddenly starts playing sound all right at one point. I tried to identify the cause by deleting each of these from the project, in a different order each time, and spent many hours doing it, during which SONAR would often freeze/crash, and there was no culprit in the project. Also, if I switch to the onboard soundcard (MME driver mode), the project plays fine. The driver and system program for my Quad-Capture are both up-to-date.

AT
Most dealers will let you try an interface and return it if you have a problem.  Find the cheapest interface that meets your specifications, see if it works, and if it doesn't, return it and move to the next.

 
I’ve heard that this is the case in the U.S. (and probably in the U.K. etc. as well), but here in Japan it’s very unlikely for the dealer to allow this. I can ask them, of course.
 

JonD
I see you have two laptops, both of which are running Windows 7. It if were me in the same situation, I would upgrade one laptop to Windows 10 and see how the Quad-Capture fares then.

 
I prefer to stay on Win7 since I’m very happy with it, and don’t like Win10/8 very much in terms of design/usability (I’ve used it several times before). Also, my external hard drives and backup software don't support Win10, so I'll have to buy these if I upgrade. The issue in the OP is the only major problem I have, so if I can solve it by simply replacing my audio interface, I won’t have to do anything else.   
 

brundlefly
Whichever way you go, consider buying used. You'll get more interface for your money, and it's unusual that used electronics of recent vintage have issues. You might even be able to step up to RME.

 
The audio interface is the heart of the system, so I sort of hesitate to consider buying it used. I can’t tell at the store how long and under what conditions the previous owner used the device. It’s possible that he used it in a very dusty room or placed it near an oily kitchen (living in a small room with a kitchen is not uncommon here). Even so it may still work fine, but I tend to prefer to be on the safe side.
 

AT
The UH-7000 and the US-20x20.

Slugbaby
I've been using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for the last year and a half.  I've never had a crash, or any problem that looked like it was interface-related.   I'm very happy with the product.

Studioguy1
The PreSonus AUDIOBOX USB does what you want and is simple to operate and has excellent mike preamps (2).  Very reasonably priced at around $100.  Small footprint and well built little case.

michael diemer
The Steinberg UR-22. About 99.00.

jackson white
I'm with AT on the TASCAM US-20x20.

JonD
Steinberg UR44 or UR242.  Rock solid construction and drivers (made by Yamaha).  If you need mobility, then the UR22 MkII.  (Personally, I stay away from bus-powered interfaces, but then again I don't need mobility).

jude77
I used the Roland Quad Capture for years.  It was a total disaster with my system.  Bought a used RME Babyface for $400.  Money well-spent and $100 below your budget.

mmarton
If you have the money, RME. Otherwise ur series. I have a ur22mkii I travel with. It's much better than my older 2i2.

dlesaux
Purchased the Scarlett 2i2 after upgrading my computer and so far I'm very happy. Their customer support is also extremely responsive. I had asked about the driver not remembering what buffer size I used in the last session and they promptly sent me a beta version that did just that!

 
Thanks for all these suggestions (and the additional information)!
I’ll check out the models you suggested.

JonD
I've heard one well-known DAW builder say that RME and Steinberg interfaces get the least amount of reported issues at his shop. Years of forum reports from RME users certainly bear that out, and as a longtime owner of Steinberg interfaces (I own the MR816X and UR44) I can absolutely believe it about Steinberg.

 
Thanks for this valuable information. Greatly appreciated.