I use an RME Fireface 800, but that's more than you need and is firewire.  I would check craigslist for a used RME Babyface: you should be able to get one for less than $500.  RME's drivers are great.  I've had two prior M-Audio interfaces (Delta 1010 and Audiophile 192), and they didn't work so great for me, but in fairness the 1010 was used and I think there was something wrong with it.

How about  rme madiface xt usb3

UA Apollo Quad. A bit of a pricey unit, but nice to be able to track and/or monitor with UAD plugs with no latency.

+1 on Focusrite as well.

I researched Presonus and Focustrite's for about a month and then just pulled the trigger on a Sapphire Pro 24 DSP. Everything is working great after some Nvidia driver fixes. I originally wanted more channels using the Presonus for the money but I'm very happy with the Focusrite, the pre's are great.

Wow, no mention of the V-Studio 100? 

Absolutely brilliant interface/controller. Especially matched with Sonar X

The live mix (0 latency sub mix) is a dream to use. Perfect for a home/mobile set-up


   Music making heaven. 

RME Babyface. Rock. Solid. 

Correction to my earlier post:  I am using a V-Studio 700, but my alternate interface is a MOTU 896mk3 Hybrid. 

Love my RME Babyface!

UA Apollo Quad. A bit of a pricey unit, but nice to be able to track and/or monitor with UAD plugs with no latency.

UA Apollo Quad here as well. Looking forward to building a new DAW with on-board Thunderbolt later this year so I can use the 
Apollo's TB option. 


Cheers,


Billy Buck

Moved the back end of last year from a Line 6 UX2 to the Focusrite 8i6, for a hobbyist, is a darn good piece of kit.