which sound card is better?

[adrian23]

i was a m-audio solo user for a very long time, and though their audio interface build quality is not bad, i got fed up with their lack of support - half a year into leopard and still no official drivers.
anyway, a few weeks ago i replace it, mainly because i need more ins/outs. initially i got the firestudio, which looks like a nice bargin. but i didn't like it. i can't really put my finger on what i disliked...it just wasn't my cup of tea so i returned it the next day.
to make a long story short. i eventually picked up the apogee ensemble. though expensive as shit, i got it for 1450, about twice the price of presonus firestudio. i also looked at rme fireface, but that was only 50 less then ensemble, and from what i've read the apogee converters are a bit better.
so, i brought it home, plugged it in, and literally was BLOW away by the sound that thing produces. it makes the m-audio stuff sound so freaking cheap it's not even funny. i never realized that converest can make such a big differance. some ppl swear that their audio interface is one of the most important pieces of gear in their setup, and i'm one of them.