Smag,
Don't know if you have much spare cash but personally I think the UAD's are quite expensive and I'd make sure it is what you need first. Sounds like you could definately do with a new soundcard for some better AD convertors. Whether or not you need the UAD-1 is another matter - I use it for mixing and mastering. But it definately is not a replacement for a soundcard as I stated there is no Input or Output for audio.
There is a good forum for the UAD-1 at
http://www.chrismilne.com/uadforums/...asp?FORUM_ID=2
Plenty of experts there to ask questions of.
Smag, You asked about the connections:~
The UAD-1 is a PCI card that has no connectors other than the PCI buss itself. When installed the Plug-ins that come with the card (and run on the card) become readily available via the same route as any other VST plugs - i.e throught the VST plug-in folder.
You still use the Audigy as your soundcard (or whatever you decide to replace it with).
I would say that a decision to buy a UAD-1 should come down to whether or not the Compressors you currently use are sufficient or not. There are plenty of other plugs and the reverb does have SOME nice settings but is not as good as the Classicverb on the Powercore (IMO) or the IR waves verb.
You will not be dissapointed with one as the quality of the plugs is so good. But whether you need one or not is another matter.
I should also point out that IMO it is not worth buying the Project Pak as all the good plugs that make the UAD-1 what it is don't come bundled with it. This is usually used as a cheap method of adding extra UAD-1s to a system. I would recommend the Studio Pak as a fist card as it comes with the most valuable bundle and is worht the extra ?'s.
Hope this helps,
Marytn