PCI-Optical Interface(Adat\TosLink) info Needed!

[Segueway]

I have a question regarding PCI based OPTICAL(Adat\TosLink-8chn)interface cards.

I am currently in the hunt for a dedicated 3in\3out PCI optical interface for my new project dedicated PC-DAW.
At the moment I'm focused on an RME product and am waiting to find out if I can get the PCI card alone.

AND
I'm also considering using for Digital OUT ONLY use, an SB-Audigy2 5.1THX.

Since both the Extigy & Audigy2 has TosLink Optical. How well(clean)do they work?
Would they do the job temporarily until I can find my prefered Adat\TosLink 3in\3out PCI card???

AND?!?!!??

Can anyone recommend such a PCI optical interface that won't break the bank and is capable of pro quality recording???

Sorry for soo many angles and triple decker questions.
I'm in my research phase and would like to arm myself with all the knowledge I can carry into my decision making. And What better place than this great forum and it's shared brain power to get the dirty on this stuff!!

Thanks in advance!

[martin armsby]

For Tosslink and excellent 6 channel (Dolby / DTS) I can highly recommend the Terratec 6FireLT. This card has a proper clock (master / slave) and doesn't resample to 48Khz. 2 In and 6 out at 24/96, great Asio drivers (64 samples working great with 16 tracks in Samplitude)

cheers

M

[Segueway]

Thanks for the tip Martin!

How much money are we talking?
And, Is this a standalone dedicated optical interface? or does it serve other functions?

What I'm looking for is strictly a single funtion 3in\3out pure optical card with no other functions. Telling me it works at 24\96 tells me there are converters involved?!?!
AM I correct?