Yet another interface question (mid/high end)

[TapeDeck]

I have ordered and returned two MOTU 896 MkIIIs. They both had bad channels... and sure, chances are they were both from one bad run, but I am burned on MOTU, and the upside of these devices doesn't outweigh the sketchy drivers ("Squeeeee!" and some minor glitching) and the possibility of more defective devices. The fit and finish of these things left something to be desired as well. Brand new, there were a few spots on the face where the black anodized finish hadn't quite taken... the mini switches for pad and phantom were not all straight up and down (snaggle-toothed) and neither were the XLR inputs on the back... fit and finish flaws. The input trim knobs would make a great deal of noise when adjusted... noise that read out on the meters into the orange, and was heard through monitors (so don't imagine the option of adjusting your input gain while recording, if you're doing live recording.)

I'd narrowed things down to the MOTU and the new Steinberg. I ordered the MOTU and paid for Cubase Studio 4. In so doing, I have now had to eliminate the Steinberg interface, because the difference between Cubase AI4 and Studio 4 is minimal, for my purposes, and it would represent a waste of a few hundred dollars that I spent on Studio 4. So now the two devices I was certain would be "the thing" are eliminated.

I'm looking at the M Audio Profire 2626, the RME Fireface 400 and 800, the Mackie Onyx 400f, and... what else?

What I want is the ability to run at least 8 channels of audio, with at least 2 excellent, usable mic pres. If the device has fewer than 8 preamps, it has to have some expandability, ideally ADAT. 8 outputs would be ideal, but I can get by with 4.

I want to make the most for my money, but my budget is flexible up to around $1500. I already have monitors, mics, cables, etc.

I will be tracking one thing at a time, most of the time, and sometimes tracking student bands. I am not starting a commercial recording venture... it doesn't have to be a "real studio." I'm not planning on offering mobile recording services.

Does anyone have specific input on:

- M Audio Profire 2626
- Fireface400 (what's the sonic difference between this and the 800?)
- Fireface800 (top end of my budget, and though I've heard great things, I hear that the new M Audio devices compare favorably for a lot less scratch)
- Yamaha N12
- Steinberg 816
- YOUR FAVORITE DEVICE HERE

I'd greatly appreciate your input. I'm not new to recording, or PC DAW recording, but I don't have the means of comparing these devices first-person. Well... if I go nuts, I WILL drive to Sweetwater... they're only a few hours away. :P

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read, and especially--respond.