I believe it is better to mixdown in the digital domain if you're already doing all your work there (which most people are in these days). The reason is that every time you make a digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital conversion, there is a chance that the quality will decrease. Obviously that also depends on what kind of hardware you have...

Personally, I record thru an analog board ( an Allen & Heath Sigma ), to A Mackie HDR 24 / 96. From there I mix to a Masterlink. I LOVE MY MASTERLINK. Also I love an analog console. To me, theres nothing like having your hands on REAL faders and listening while you turn an EQ pot. Then again I am so used to an analog board, it's just that, analog works best for me because I am so used to it

x2x3, i'm sure your money would be better spent elsewhere.

I export music sometimes because it is quicker. Since I have a quasi-analog environment, I primarily do my mixes into a stereo track on my DAW. The quality is very good in either case.