[tacman7]

I went for a UAD-1 a few months ago and have been very happy with it.

I find it to be a commitment. When you spend a bunch of money on a processor or other pro audio equipment you have to spend the time to understand the product and get it to work right, then learn how to use it and integrate it into your workflow. I spent a lot of time reading the UA boards, website and Utube videos, lots of info on UAD on the web, before purchasing.

I was also thinking about upgrading my soundcard, I was talking to different people about if you get any improvement in sound quality with a new soundcard if you create the music in the digital domain(VSTi), and export it in the digital domain (CD,mp3) You never use the cards converters so I don't know about that, certainly it might sound better on your monitors if you got a lynx card or whatever, that's what they say but I don't know if it would make your music any better.