I've just sunk all my money into a major studio computer/DAW goodies upgrade and will be financially strapped for awhile.  My 2nd Saffire pro23dsp just decided to die on me, which really sucks, so I'm done with Focusrite... second pro24 to fail in 6 years...and I want to shift to USB2/3  I'm currently using my old AudioKontrol 1 which has always been a super backup and is reporting around 7.3ms round trip at 32 samples... My concern is the Mic preamps... I'm a vocalist and use pretty much 1 mic, an amazing CAD E100S.  Thus, my needs are simple. The AK1 has 1 mic in/1 line which is just fine for the moment, although it is USB1.  Ultimately I'd like a higher quality USB2?3  with better pre's.   Don't need extra mic pre's, although the two on the Saffire were nice...
 
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.  I also realize I can go with a better external mic pre and this is a consideration, although if I can get decent pre's in a USB2 interface with low latency, financially that would be more doable.  I will be doing a lot of songwriting over the next 3 or 4 months and during that time I'll try and swing an upgrade... 
 
Right now I'm loving the new system and the AK1 is working... just trying to plan/think/budget for being able to produce best vocals possible.  I'd like to do this ONCE, so while budget is a consideration, long run utility is just as important...
 
Thanks, all.  

A somewhat match in basic features would be the MOTU MK III Hybrid. It supports Firewire as well as USB 2. It has 2 pre's plus an additional 6 line-ins for a total of 8, SPDIF in-out, 8 outs, plus main outs. Has DSP compressor,leveler, EQS, and reverb for tracking, up to 8 mix busses. A bit more expensive than the Focusrite - but very rugged. I'm a happy camper with it.

If you are a vocalist I'd suggest a outboard preamp.  They are a bit better than anything you'll find in a lower cost interface.
 
Of course, you haven't mentioned cost.  The saffire line seems to be the most popular on these forums, but that ain't a go for you.  If you have the cash ($500) the focusrite forte  or the more expensive Audient both include better preamps.  If you have less money, the octocapture was on sale (link is on the forums somewhere), and others have had success w/ the Presonus line.  any of those latter have OK preamps, but you could add one later.  Something like the warm audio, which is a professional piece w/ cinemag transfomers.  The E-100 would love that, I bet.  Preamps are one of those last 5% pieces, but once you start using one you learn why people pay for them.
 
@

Thanks, Supe!  my only concern is latencies on that motu seem pretty slow per TAFKAT's list over at kvr...http://www.gearslutz.com/board/9008504-post409.html  Was initially thinking of the Saffire 6 usb which still has a decent pre but it's on the bottom as far as turnaround and with stuff like guitar/voice... 
 
Pres+latency... hmmmmm.... wonder about "pre" sonus' pre's (this is gettin' "pre"tty wierd... but the firestudio is right up there with rme, avid and my old pro 2r (grrrrrrr!!!!)
 
May be awhile to save another chunk... and darn, I was hopen' to get Iceni next!

AT
If you are a vocalist I'd suggest a outboard preamp.  They are a bit better than anything you'll find in a lower cost interface.
 
Of course, you haven't mentioned cost.  The saffire line seems to be the most popular on these forums, but that ain't a go for you.  If you have the cash ($500) the focusrite forte  or the more expensive Audient both include better preamps.  If you have less money, the octocapture was on sale (link is on the forums somewhere), and others have had success w/ the Presonus line.  any of those latter have OK preamps, but you could add one later.  Something like the warm audio, which is a professional piece w/ cinemag transfomers.  The E-100 would love that, I bet.  Preamps are one of those last 5% pieces, but once you start using one you learn why people pay for them.
 
@

AT, thanks for the thoughts... I'm leaning towards your approach...btw, the E100 is the "S" model, a big improvement and the only all USA made quality mic.  It is really amazing.  I'm going thru TAFKAT's latency list and 
the ESI Julia XTe PCIe card is right up there with the RME stuff for a couple hundred $$$. Then again, have no idea on the pre's for the short run... Presonus is on par with the saffire line.  OY, this is challenging.
 
I wish someone would do a high quality 2 in/surround out unit, without all the extra babyface stuff I'll never use...
 
You've given me food for thought re: separating latency and pre's as the pre can come down the road...

Right now I'm leaning towards the Presonus Firestudio Mobile, as it's way up there in winning the latency battle http://www.gearslutz.com/board/9008504-post409.html and would leave me some wiggle room to get a good pre down the line (AFTER Iceni!)
 
It'll be a week or two anyway as have lots of bills and meger duckets at the moment... plenty of time to dig deeper.
 
I only wish there were some good USB low latency/quality dac+drivers in this list... 
 

I've abandoned Firewire for USB.  My main recording interface is a Roland Octa-Capture (they have smaller units such as the Quad-Capture). 
 
My Octa-Capture's reported Latency in Sonar is 6.6ms and that is not the lowest buffer setting in the Octa-Capture. 

fireberd
I've abandoned Firewire for USB.  My main recording interface is a Roland Octa-Capture (they have smaller units such as the Quad-Capture). 
 
My Octa-Capture's reported Latency in Sonar is 6.6ms and that is not the lowest buffer setting in the Octa-Capture. 

Hi, fireberd... I'd b curious as to the latency you get at 32 buffer if you can check... and 64 which I assume is the 6.6?  It hasn't made any of the lists I've seen... 
 
I too would prefer usb at this point... one running usb2 if possible, to future proof for a while at least...
having the ni AudioKontrol1 and never having a problem is moving me to really want to go this way...fortunately I'll have a bit of time due to dollar deficits at the moment.  
 
I like running at 32 if possible, as my new system can handle it with no pops or wierdness...with the AK1.   Thanks for the roland info... 
 
Having so much fun at the moment, although most of the evening was spent dealing with Kontakt issues... seems the updates are messing things up and I couldn't get anything done for  5 or 6 hours till I reinstalled...
You're a late one like me!  

I have had great luck with my Octacapture.  Rock solid, very low latency, and the pres, while they don't stand out, are perfectly neutral and have served me well for both vocals and as a bass DI.  

octacaptures were on sale somewhere recently.....