Latency-free soundcard for around $100?

[braj]

I have an old model Line6 Gearbox GX with direct monitoring, it works wonderfully for me but only has a 1/4" input and I am thinking I may want to 'retire' it to use with my laptop since it is small, and get something with more inputs, including XLR. So I am wondering if I should get something related from Line 6 like http://line6.com/podstudioux1/ or switch brands. I play guitar and really my needs are met with this besides inputs, but I admittedly know nothing else besides a Soundblaster with ASIO4all from before I got the Line6.

Whatever I get will be 'on sale' and I'm firm on that $100 price. I have plenty of time to shop for a good deal, just what to shop for is what I need help with. I want the same sort of direct monitoring so my guitar has no noticeable delay and my keyboard is responsive. I'm running Win Vista. Thanks in advance.

[skipkent]

If you're happy with the Tonedirect monitoring, I'd stick with Line6 and get the UX1 or UX2 (forget the new model names for these).

I have a toneport UX1 which I love, and also have an EMU Tracker USB 2.0 for when I want to monitor other plugins (guitar) in real time. You can also use the PodFarm 2 plugin now with any interface, so that's an option too. Real time latency with the Tracker is comparable to Tonedirect monitoring on the Line6, but I still find myself pulling out the Line6 more often than not, sometimes just to plug into PodFarm 2 and jam away!

I see a UX2 on ebay right now for $85. Might want to give that a look!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Line-6-TonePort ... 20c2dcada6

[braj]

That is a decent price, but I think if I get another Line6 interface I want the newest to get the most future support, and it would include the updated plugin. I'm still on the first version (happily) but would want to upgrade that at the same time.

[braj]

Besides the color I'm not sure what the difference is in the hardware.