I already have an X fi titanium HD which turned out to have great Asio drivers with as low as 1 MS asio settings, but only have a Samson go mic for recording, but when I tested it it was sufficient.

For how much that soundcard cost though, you can get a decent audio interface instead with better mic input options.

+1 on looking at Fire Wire interfaces, which I had skipped in my earlier post.  I was only thinking of budget issues, as some folks have to pick up Fire Wire expansion cards for their computers, which adds a little to the cost.  (even some folks who have on-board Fire Wire ports have had chip set compatibility issues, requiring the additional expansion card).
 
Bob Bone
 

Another vote for the Focusrite Saffire range!

Focusrite Scarlett series is very good as well. I have 2 different models currently. One is primarily for my desk top the other is for mobile. One really nice feature on any unit is the ability to run monitors, multiple monitors and head phones separately.

with regard to the samson, sure you probably read this http://forum.cakewalk.com/Guide-SONAR-usb-mic-Samson-C01u-or-C03u-mic-m1618556.aspx
 
is it's 5th anniversary in a few weeks hehe.
 
but if you do a lot of work with mics a lot, then it's easier to get one that goes direct into a soundcard.. I do have a saffire 6 myself and a 1010LT on the other machine.. but... 2 negatives.. 1) m-audio aren't so great with drivers 2)although the saffire-6 has 2 mic inputs.. as instrument input, I have to use both ports to use my stereo XG unit.
 
so try to think where you will be in 4-6 years, as it's better to buy something you will grow into..
 
200-300 euro would be more than enough to get you a decent asio based card. there are only maybe 3 brands personally I'd look at currently.. RME , focusrite , roland and maybe presonus.. I wouldn't bother with a soundblaster etc.
 
where in europe are you based, as you may want to find a shop where you can see something in action..
 
pci-e is for desktops, not laptops.. so usb works externally on both machines. firewire is another option but problematic perhaps if you don't have the right chipset (Ti).. assuming you even have a firewire port :)
 
with regards to an amp and speakers ? they are fine for mucking about with .. but if they are home speakers, they will fluff the sound aren't truly flat.. which is what you are trying to get with studio monitors (speakers).
 
 
 

I love firewire but most computers don't come w/ it native, and many that do aren't the recommended TI chipset.  IF you decide FW, you'll have to put a card into your desktop or laptop.  Fortunately those can be TI, and that way your interface won't hog the USB bandwidth.  Still, USB will be native long after FW is too hard to put into a computer.
 
If you do decide FW, TC is a great value.  I use a TC Konnekt 48; the TC Konnekt Twin is a great for most home recording @ $400-500, and the TCK 6 is a nice stereo unit built into a remote control and about $200.  The preamp(s) are good, about as good as you are going to get in an interface, and the converters are great.  The drivers have been fixed - not the lowest latency (that I can get anyway), but still respectable.  But you can easily get a professional sound quality w/ it.  I've used them along w/ appogge and other higher cost units and they hold their own.
 
@

codrutoctavian
Wow! Thanks for the advice. What about ESI Juli@ XTe?It's a PCIe card. Are sound cards nowadays only USB?
If the ESI is not okay I'll go with Focusrite as it seems a lot of people are recommending it.
 
Thanks

I used to have a Juli@ card. It served me well but my Roland Quad Capture is much better. Better input and output options and more stable.

AT
IF you decide FW, you'll have to put a card into your desktop or laptop. 

I just wanted to clarify that the "will" is not necessarily true. When I posted my thread on a new interface, this came up several times, so I researched one, but bought the Focusrite Saffire without the TI-specific card to check first. I am on a VIA chipset, and the Saffire has been flawless for me (I never got the TI card). My machine had an unused FW port, but VIA.
 
For the OP, be sure to research a lot, and do not hesitate to post questions here as you narrow in on what you want. If you can post your computer specs is also helps others understand your system better when offering suggestions to you. If your machine does not have a FW port, then yes, a card would be required.
 

I just got my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 yesterday for $159, and very happy with it. It's USB powered and installing the drivers was a breeze (it took me longer to register the product than the installation).