Will do, I just wanted some clarification as to whether or not it was even enough to get started with. The next plan is to use and abuse the setup to see how far I get along! I will do my best to keep everyone updated.
 
            Cheers! 

The plan is definitely to include a sound card,

I do not know the zoom either, but I do have some experience reading manuals.


This one: http://www.samsontech.com/site_media/legacy_docs/R16ai.pdf


says: 
Audio interface
The various input and output jacks of the
R16 can be used as a Hi-Speed USB (USB
2.0) audio interface with support for 8 ins
and 2 outs and input and output quality up
to 24-bit/96kHz. Effects can also be used
when the sampling rate is 44.1 kHz, and
the unit can be powered by the computer’s
USB bus

So the Zoom is a "sound card" ie USB external audio interface. If it works with Sonar and has the inputs you need, you should not need another "sound card"

Finding the driver (software that will let your computer "see" the audio interface when it is plugged in to a USB socket is a bit of a hunt. But apparently the drivers you need are here:

http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/r16/software/


And are supposed to work up to Windows 7-- 32 bit and 64 bit versions available.

I would think when it is all said and done, you might want to look at a "proper" sound card such as those produced with multiple inputs like Focusrite, Presonus, Tascam, etc., since these are DESIGNED for the DAW market.  By all means, you should see if the Zoom and POD work, but In my mind, I'm guessing that ultimately you will prefer a dedicated audio/midi interface.  Just my thoughts...

Regards

Welcome Blaine I have an HD500, but I use a Fireface 800 as my audio interface and bring audio from the HD500 in through that. However, you could use the HD500 as your audio interface if you need to. It has ASIO drivers, and can run at 16 or 24 bit, and 44.1 or 48 kHz. I set it up in Sonar and with the buffers set to the minimum of 128 samples got a round-trip latency of 17 ms. It has 2 audio inputs (Gtr and Aux), a mic input, balanced and unbalanced outputs, headphone out, effect send and returns and even MIDI in and out. With that said, although I'm not familiar with the Zoom, I would probably try that first. But I would also check the HD500. Line 6 writes pretty good drivers and the HD500 might give better results with your system. Cheers Bud

And just to confuse you even further, I've got a POD Pro XT and I only have the audio side of this set up, totally ignoring the digital & Midi side of it.

I run all of my IO through a Focusrite Saffire PRO26 and just treat the POD signal like I would any other audio signal - straight into the Saffire & into Sonar.

Your PC-resources play a big role in getting the DAW work going. No soundcard helps you, if the CPU or RAM are insufficient. I assume your rig is up to the task. It's good to put your specs in the signature, because you need to tell themn every time you ask a question.