SToons
rcrees
Great information all!! Thank you all so much. All points to what I thought was the base of my problem... the audiophile not having an instrument In/Out. I got confused because it DOES have inputs and outputs, just not the right kind. Something I should have known.
Now... your help has reinforced my thoughts of upgrading my Sound Card, which after a big computer upgrade (to 4core 64) and software upgrade (X2), is now the weakest link. I'd really like to get a sound card that plays nicely with my current set up and also, obviously, has at least 1 instrument line in.
So I'm off to search and research threads about Sound Cards!
Another option would be to keep the card and pickup something like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/line-6-pod-studio-gx-with-pod-farm
This comes with it's own modelling software but will also allow you to use any other amp modelling software like TH2.
For around the same price you could likely get a PodXT which is several years old but sounds great, or splurge on a newer unit like the HD500, which are portable so you can drag your guitar "rig" anywhere. They also function as a stereo USB soundcard. Very low latency as well. They function the same as the StudioGX but have their own internal modelling software. This allows you to use them with or without a computer. If you use it with a computer you can use it to send a "dry" signal if you prefer and substitute other amp software.
These options may not suit your needs but if you play guitar much you may be able to solve two issues at once.
Well you should be warned about the device in that link. This device is only USB 1.0. I had a UX2 The device above is a UX1. A lesser model. When these things first came out they were red and they were called Toneports. Line 6 changed the color to black and called it a Pod Studio. They added additional software but it is really the same hardware with all the same specs. The tecs in their forum even admitted this when they were pressed.
They market it by saying it works with 2.0 and leaving an assumption that it was 2.0. further more it is powered by the USB port itself. after owning both the Toneport 2 and the Studio 2 AKA UX2 I can tell you that it work, but it won't solve your problem. in fact it will be worse. you will not get a signal strong enough to record unless you use a preamp.
When I purchased the VS-100 I was blown away at how much better the recordings were. I no longer needed a preamp to boost the signal. The sounds that this UX1 will produce is on par with the Pod xt series. that is an effects processor that is 2 generations older.
Since then Line 6 has come out with the X3 series and now the HD series. A quick search on ebay brought up several pod x3s between 100 and 200 bucks. They also function as a sound card and portable guitar rig. They even have a mic input for vocals. This is a better bet because it is USB 2.0. It will not require a preamp, and you will be able to download and use the entire Pod Farm 2.5 for free. That is 78 guitar amps and 22 bass amps 96 pedal effects and hundreds of presets.
What ever you decide to get, you should at least get an audio interface that is USB 2.0 if you can.