Does anyone have experience with ESI audio interfaces? Any opinion on build, sound, reliability, drivers? I don't know anything about this company, but I like the idea of an internal interface. Thanks for any tips!

Not exactly what you asked, but I have one of their 4x4 midi interfaces and it is built like a tank. Did your 24/96 die?
 
Regards,
Dan

An P5 user had the Julia - which was an older version I believe.  It worked great for him.
 
Lynx has a new Pci-e - 4x4 analog and 4x4 spdif.  I haven't heard anything about it other than it exists, but it should be top of the line.  A replacement for their older pci unit, which was highly regarded.  I would imagine the new one is about $1200 if it is a replacement model.
 
@

dcumpian
Not exactly what you asked, but I have one of their 4x4 midi interfaces and it is built like a tank. Did your 24/96 die?
 
Regards,
Dan

Dan - The 2496 is still working, but it's old and I'm worried about it. Also, it's a PCI card in a PCIe slot. I didn't know if that would work, but it does. When I built this machine I took the card out of the old machine, but I thought if it didn't work there were several PCI solutions by Echo and M-Audio that I could get to replace it. Now nobody is making an affordable PCI interface -- or so I thought until I discovered ESI.

AT
An P5 user had the Julia - which was an older version I believe.  It worked great for him.
 
Lynx has a new Pci-e - 4x4 analog and 4x4 spdif.  I haven't heard anything about it other than it exists, but it should be top of the line.  A replacement for their older pci unit, which was highly regarded.  I would imagine the new one is about $1200 if it is a replacement model.

AT - Thanks! Lynx is a perfect example of how high the prices on these things have gone. RME is another. I had begun to think that if I needed to replace my M-Audio card I'd be looking at $600 to $1500. ESI is more in my price range, but haven't heard anything about them.

That is the Juli.  This P5 user's stuff sounded great, which is a testament to him more than the card.  But it certainly didn't get in the way.  This was years ago, but I did take a look at it I was so impressed by his sound.  I think it is more of a European interface than American, and SONAR is more American, so I don't know how many people here would use it.
 
@

It seems to check out as a quality interface but like AT said, it sort of only found in Germany and Denmark. I found one  Stateside here for $169: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404522-REG/ESI_Ego_Sys_JULI_Juli_4_Input.html
 
So for that price I think I'd give it a go. Best for me is it has SPDIF which is mostly what I've used because of my Yamaha 01v mixer. 
You'd need a mixer with it because it has no monitoring, headphones etc. 
 
I have this old Card Deluxe PCI sound card that was made for radio stations. It is bulletproof but because it lacks MIDI, and the monitoring is hopeless, I can't use it in my DAW system. It serves duty as my office computer/Stereo/Movie machine. ASIO drivers still work on W 7. 64 bit.  
http://www.digitalaudio.com/legacy-products/
 
 
From what I read about audio interfaces, PCIe normally will give excellent RT Latency performance. 

johnnyV
From what I read about audio interfaces, PCIe normally will give excellent RT Latency performance. 

Possibly, but you may get into PCI interrupt sharing/conflicts on modern motherboards.
Sir Les here had quite a bit to say on the matter a while back.  I'm no expert, but I'd look into it.
 

johnnyV
It seems to check out as a quality interface but like AT said, it sort of only found in Germany and Denmark. I found one  Stateside here for $169: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404522-REG/ESI_Ego_Sys_JULI_Juli_4_Input.html
 

FYI, the unit is on backorder at B&H. I would suggest calling before ordering. The product may not be available for some time, if ever.

Thanks for the input!

johnnyV
You'd need a mixer with it because it has no monitoring, headphones etc. 
 
From what I read about audio interfaces, PCIe normally will give excellent RT Latency performance. 

Johnny - My current setup does involve a mixer, as the Audiophile 2496 that I have is configured similarly to the ESI Juli. And yes, the latency is quite good, which makes sense if you think about it versus USB or Firewire.
 

scook
 
FYI, the unit is on backorder at B&H. I would suggest calling before ordering. The product may not be available for some time, if ever.

Steve - I stumbled on this product while I was checking out the Sonar 2015 deal at JRRShop. It says something like "Usually ships in 2 to 7 days," but you may be right about availability: They have the Echo Layla in their catalog, and that hasn't been made for years.