I can't figure out how to direct monitor the inputs.  The only way I've found to monitor is with the "input Echo" in Sonar.  Surely there is way to direct monitor? (or maybe this will be going back).
 
Solved, after getting hands on instruction on the MOTU Cue Mix program and getting a second 896mk3 Hybrid.
 
 
 

CueMix EFX is the application you use to control the onboard monitoring features.
It's definitely there...   

I found it, accidentally.  Factory default Main was muted in the Mixes section.
 
Now how do I route (add) Outputs 7 and 8 to the main outputs, so I can route that to my headphone distribution amp.  I'm doing now from the front panel headphone jack but a drawing in the manual shows 7&8 being connected to a headphone distribution amp. 

I'm looking at the pdf version of the 896's manual. What page is this pic on that you're referring to?
 
I think what you're asking is confusing.
 
You are trying to route an output to an output? out 7/8 to main out?
 
It will help to know what signal is on outputs 7/8. Is it something connected to a hardware input, or is it an internal computer signal, such as audio playing on a track in SONAR?
 
Basically, if it's something connected to a hardware input on the 896mk3, you just set that input track's output in SONAR to the 896MK3 Main output. If it's audio playing on a track in SONAR, you set that track's output to the 896's mainout or a bus that has the 896's mainout as its output.
 
Hope that helps.
 
EDIT:
 
Oh I see. That's a figure pic showing how to setup talk back and listen back.
 
You might find the CueMixFX tutorial video helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48vYfBl3DaU
 
The talk back listen back part starts about 5:45 into the video.
 And/or read carefully and follow step by step the explanation for the talkback listen back hardware setup that goes with that figure 9-25 in the manual.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Its a moot question now.  I've decided to send the unit back.  They have "complicated the ham sandwich" with their Cue Mix and having too many options.  Even the overly complex Focusrite control software was easier to learn than this.
 
I'll have to look at other brands, but not MOTU. 
 
 

FWIW, CueMix is just new/different than what you're used to...
It's not overly complex once you're up-to-speed.
CueMix buses are separate from the "Main Outputs".
 
If I remember correctly, you have four CueMix output "buses".
You select an output for each of the four buses... and you can then send any input/s to this bus.
You can adjust volume... apply dynamics/EQ... and you've also got EFX sends for reverb.
 
The newer MOTU AVB series has even more flexibility with completely free patching.
Similar to TotalMix FX...
 
 
 

Wow! Just wow.

Too late, Jim.  Its at UPS on the way back to B&H. 
I went over the manual, what I could find on the web and my own "computer techie" skills and couldn't get the routing.  Even figuring out the hardware monitoring was a bit of a job.  "Different" doesn't bother me, I've been in computers and networking for many years (basically since 1968) in both software and hardware positions.  "Managing Change" was the name of the game. 

Jim Roseberry
FWIW, CueMix is just new/different than what you're used to...
It's not overly complex once you're up-to-speed.
CueMix buses are separate from the "Main Outputs".
 
If I remember correctly, you have four CueMix output "buses".
You select an output for each of the four buses... and you can then send any input/s to this bus.
You can adjust volume... apply dynamics/EQ... and you've also got EFX sends for reverb.
 
The newer MOTU AVB series has even more flexibility with completely free patching.
Similar to TotalMix FX...

 
CueMix is great!  
 
I'm using a little ol' Ultralite - you get eight mixes, and you can assign any mix to any output. I don't find it complicated at all - except from the front panel. Using CueMix, I just set up a HW preset and away I go.
 
I think fireberd's issue is a conceptual one, these are full DSP-based mixers with preamps, line-ins, inserts and sends - 'ham sandwich' is all wrong as far a metaphors go - these are  way more than that. Anybody got any better ones?
 

The Roland Octa-Capture, I'm now using, has a routing program but for example the hardware monitoring is "built in" no software action is required.  I wanted to route an additional "master" out on a different line and it was "one click" in the control program and it was done - didn't have to read the manual or go on line to try and find out how to do it or try to get help from an on-line forum.  I used to have an M-Audio interface when I was dabbling in Pro Tools and it too had a software program for routing but the input monitoring was built in, no software action was required.