Today, went to Guitar Center, bought a Lexicon Alpha. They call it a Desktop Recording Studio, well anyway. USB to the box, with two ins and two outs and a headphone jack out. Has controls for output levels as well. Also comes with some pretty decent composing software, Cubase (but the "LE - "light" version.) Anyway, software installed easily(other than a rather arcane registration process for the Steinberg Cubase), and successfully. Plugged in the usb-based controller, and...it WORKED!
Don't know if it's the right solution for everybody, but it's only $79 US, and gives great sound, and is easy to install. Beats the **** out of any audio card I've used.