[LAD] What sound cards are recommender by developers? I'll order next week!!!

Pardon that I ask this on the developers list, but it seems to be the best place regarding to the information about hardware, that is or isn't well supported for or by Linux. I'm flirting with the idea of buying a RME PCI card or firewire device or if recommended a card from another vendor. The device should have around 4 analog IOs, for MIDI I could keep one of my Envy24 cards, as long as a new device only needs one PCI slot. I guess PCI is less problematic than firewire? I'll order next week. It's important that the analog IOs and converters etc. keep the sound without audible loss, similar to consumer equipment, that is not the most worse. Professional sound quality isn't needed, but my TerraTec EWX 24/96 or similar Envy24 cards and all those onboard devices I ever heard, don't reach good consumer quality, they produce marked loss for the sound quality. I could spend 800,- EUR or less ;). Any recommendations for sound cards? I already got some recommendations and until now this one seems to be the most confidence inspiring device ... just a feeling ;): http://www.thomann.de/gb/rme_digi_9632_hdsp_pcikarte.htm OTOH, I'm doubtful, regarding to the costs. I thought that new devices are more expensive. Somebody else recommended this one: http://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_saffire_pro_40.htm I can't ask friend, because they won't care about compatibility to Linux :(, I guess that e.g. Motu isn't (well) supported. Before I order a sound device, I'll ask if I could test it, when ordering at Thomann or a similar dealer. The problem is that I have to order, because AFAIK there are no good music stores near to my hometown Oberhausen/Rheinland, that are easily reachable by public transit, dunno, perhaps Kurt Spiecker + Dirk Pulch are still ok. Best, Ralf