Well...the Layla 20bit model only record at 16bit..the 24bit model only records at 20bit..it's the way that the floating bit integer calculation works on cutting off the last 4 bits. There's only one workaround and that's to get a 32bit card..but so far there are none out there.
The AW4416 is totally different in aspects to a PCI based audio interface.
The converters in the Echo products are really nice. Not totally high end but do the job to say the least. I use the Layla 20 bit and I love it. Never had a problem with the way it sounds.
RME and Apogee are both great sounding converters..Apogee is high end and the clock and the architectual deisgn is what makes them so good. RME isnt bad at all and is affordable. It's just not as high end as Apogee..I'm a tech for Apogee so this is why I know that.
Fostex is middle of the road..nothing to write home about IMHO
Opus

I was hoping you would reply as you seem to have all the answers or aleast direct people in the right direction...

I currently run:
althon 900
A7v Asus board
628mb ram
30 gig 7200 hd ata 100
20 gig 5400 hd
echo layla 20
tascam us-428
Nuendo 1.53

My dilemia is that I want to be able to take my production on the road to professional studios and I don't want to have take my computer setup, so I am interested in getting the 4416 the reason I chose this unit is because it also can take over as a surface controller for the Nuendo application, (hopefully I can also use the automation)and it also a portable DAW. I am also very aware of the importance of a/d conversions... I am pretty satified with the conversions I have been getting from the Layla; the thing is would the 4416 be an upgrade in conversions I am currently getting? and would the Fostex unit better than either one of those units (in terms of conversions)?

Thanks for your expertise...

raticus

I wish I had all the answers but I try!! lol
The 4416 is a great unit indeed..John Fogerty uses one as well!! The bad thing about the 4416 is the unbalanced inputs on it vs not having all balanced inputs. Kind of defeats the purpose in some ways if you want to send in balanced signals. Lame..lame...lame!!
Anyways..I've never really compored the Fostex converters to anything else but I do know that the 4416 does sound better. When I was at Sweetwater I did get to play with a Fostex unit and really didnt like the sound of it too much. Noise floor is pretty high up there!
Your system is almost like mine except I use Pentium processor at the moment. I do plan on going Athalon Dual processor very very soon. Probably around tax rebate time!! lol
Opus

That is why I doing my research ($tax time returns$) I plan to invest about $3000 in some equip... Thanks for the insight on 4416 and on the fostex unit...

Be good

Raticus