All About Audio Interfaces - please post what you know here

[Blaster]

This is not the first DSF post Ive made reguarding external soundcards / audio interfaces but I have since done some research and have a few more questions to ask. Let me start by explaining that I have never bought an audio interface before but just a few days ago I cashed some birthday money, a pay check and sold some headphones to pay for some KRK Rokit 5's. Now all I need is some sort audio interface to replace the cheap ass sound card in my pc (which as of recently has started making a buzzing noise noticable while wereing headphones). Now I really REALLY want to avoid spending $200 on an interface but I dont want to comprimise my (soon to be set-up) setup with a so called "weak link" in my signal chain. First of all I need to know:

(16 vs. 24 bit asside) how will a cheaper audio card such as the Alesis I/O2 http://www.provantage.com/numark-io-2-e ... MRK013.htm Compare to a more expensive Focusrite Saffire Pro 24( http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CHkQ8wIwBQ)

please note that im not going to be needing any mic or instrument inputs - just need balanced output for my monitors

if you were in my position what would you do - do you have any other recomendations?

P.s bare with my responses - the ambiens kicking in

[Electric_Head]

tascam U122, or any other tascam interfaces.
Very simple yet effective