My EMU 1820 M just died...

[madstation]

After a few years of good use, my EMU 1820M has died...it now does an horrible noise when I start it and PatchMix DSP get stucks.

I'm looking at an alternative for less than 500$...any recommendations?
I would like 3 pair of stereo inputs, at least one midi in/out/thru, don't really need phantom power and I'm using Windows Vista 32 bit(might move to Windows 7 64bit soon tho)

I'm tempted by the MOTU 828 MK3 but I've heard their windows driver are somewhat buggy.
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828mk3/


Thanks