I'm looking for a new interface, that "plays well" with Sonar. But apparently I record way more simultaneous tracks than most of the search entries I've found.
 
I'd like to be able to capture 24 simultaneous tracks.
 
So I'm looking for something with 8 mic preamps, plus two ADAT intputs.
 
1394/Firewire or USB doesn't matter to me, as long as it can keep up and is stable.
 
I currently use an Alesis IO26, with an older Presonus DigimaxLT plugged into the ADAT input. I'd like to keep the Digimax, but the Alesis is starting to show it's age. Some of the LED's are fading.
 
If there's a recommended Firewire or USB card known to play well with your recommendation, I'm all ears. My card does have the TI chipset, but is also very old, and has been transplanted from my last few computers - its probably earned its retirement as well.
 
 

I have no personal experience with it, but the MOTU 896mk3 offers 8 pres, 2 optical ins and spdif.  http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/896mk3.
I need to retire my old Lambda USB1.1  and get something better.  The MOTU products look great, but I am not sure how they play with SONAR.

It looks nice. A little spendier than I'd like, but you get what you pay for right?

GMGM
It looks nice. A little spendier than I'd like, but you get what you pay for right?

I am wondering that very question.  Their products really do look good.  There are not many reviews out there, and almost nothing on the CW forums.  The CueMix FX looks like it has some really nice features too.  Good luck in your search.

Stack up 2 units of Roland Studio Capture, total of 32 inputs (24 preamps), no ADAT.
 
edit : also the RME RayDat (PCI-e) up to 4 ADAT.
 

I love my steinberg UR824 it has exactly what you need

zakufan
I love my steinberg UR824 it has exactly what you need

+1 I wanted to transition to a USB device after years with MOTU PCI & FW (which were great!). Really happy with the UR series and settled on the 824 for the same reasons mentioned above.

Actually, all of the above look like great options, but the Steinberg is closest to my budget.
 
I assume drivers have been fairly stable? How about USB 2.0 speeds vs Firewire at high track counts? I don't mind cranking up the buffer/latency for live sessions, as long as the interface is somewhat user-friendly.
 
Is there any reason for me to hold off? Are we just months away from a huge wave of affordable super-fast-super-awesome USB 3.0 interfaces or anything like that? Can you tell I've not been following the tech news lately?
 
More importantly, do you guys have trouble sleeping at night, knowing that you are financing the "enemy" that makes Cubase?