Sound Card? Pre amp?

Don't get a soundblaster, they're for entertainment purposes. Get a recording soundcard within your budget but designed for that purpose.

Have a look at the Line6 gear.I use one of these, but they do other great devices.You get a good sound card in them and amp modelling software for recording Guitar/Bass/Drums etc.The drivers are rock solid in Reaper and you get,"ToneDirect" monitoring which means no delays(Latency) when recording.The GX can be got for around $99 US and the software you get free/download once bought is worth that alone.The sound card does up to 32 bit recording as well. As it's USB you just plug it into any of your PCs/Laptops as well. All the material in my sig has been done with it. HTH :)

I try to use both of mine - regular computer sound, games, YouTube, etc comes out the built-in RealTek sound card, while my Tascam US-122 is solely for Reaper. By using both, I can check out clips from tutorials or audio demos without having to leave Reaper. Sadly, we've had to commandeer one of my 1/8" cables to hook the laptop up to the TV, so right now everything is running through the Tascam. The major disadvantage here (though apparently not as much as getting off my ass and buying another cable) is that Reaper and any other sound stuff can't coexist. If Reaper is open, YouTube won't play sound. If Winamp is running and I open Reaper, nothing. If it's a general use computer, I'd say use two cards. You can certainly get by with one, as I am now, but it can be a pain at times.

Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that WORK: (you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

Thanks Line 6 stuff looks good, really like the software, I just wonder if its the best in its price range for vocals and acoustic recordings, too. Im still trying to figure out if I need phantom power and a pre amp included in whatever Audio Interface I get. Tascam has a couple nice one's, too, and everyone says good things about them. I found also, M-Audio has two AI's that look good for around 100US on sale. And the tweek guide is good, Thanks.

It's hard to give an advice without knowing more about your needs. I have been using the Lexicon Omega for a while on PCs (with Asio4All) and Macs. Don't expect very low latencies with them, since they only use USB 1.1, but they are quite versatile (8 inputs (2 mic, 4 line, 1 Hi-Z, 1 SPDIF), 4 recording channels, 2 outputs), and their dBX preamps are quite good. See the SOS review Their price has fallen down below 200$, which certainly means they will be discontinued soon...

Upgraded 

Thanks for the suggestions, So, its basically Presonus, Tascam, Line 6 and M Audio that seem to be well liked in the 100 to 200 price range. The Presonus Firewire AI looks really good, I guess it has a more powerful a/d converter than the others??, but its 100 US more, too. I'll have to put a firewire card in my PC for it, too, but that software looks pretty nice, too. Thanks for the info and links. I guess latencies are always important. I am going to record vocals, acoustic instruments and sound effects, mostly.

Thats good to know.

Since we're talking low end AI's, I'll give the following two reviews: M-Audio: These guys are made of plastic. So is their software. I can elaborate if necessary, but I've had some bad experiences. Not road worthy, to say the least. PreSonus: Exactly the opposite, if you are able to use IEEE1394. Aluminum chassis and quite good features for the price.