[linux-audio-user] Which soundcard?

I want to build a small home studio. I'm planing to record electrical and acoustical instruments (including voice). I already do have an external mixer (with mic preamplifiers). I do need MIDI and (maybe) SPDIF I/O. While I do think that about 6 analog inputs will do, I know that some more could become handy some day... Looking around in the net I have got the impression that both RME Hammerfall (PCI Interface + Multiface) and the Midiman Delta 1010 would be good (but expensive) choices and about equally supported in Linux. Do you think that these cards would be comparable regarding quality and Linux compatibility? Are there other suggestions to consider? I have seen some complaints about RME MIDI timing problems, but I do not think it was the PCI Interface + Multiface combination. Is that right? BTW: how long is the cable between PC and Midiman Delta 1010? How is the collaboration between M-audio/RME and the free software community? (we should honour this ;-) I know websites for Linux printer recomandations and such, but did not find something similar for sound equipment. Pointers welcome. Thank you for taking your time to share your experience, Robert Epprecht