Thanks so much for all your input over the last month on my Mac/audio interface quandary. I'm stoked! I've ordered my stuff through AudioMidi.com (about 3 miles away from my home) and will pick it up next week. The people there finally gave me the straight talk, and I highly recommend them (especially if you don't have to pay CA sales tax like I did for the Governator!
). --- No "You need a $2000 interface" stuff. The AudioMidi guy did tell me about the Focusrite Saffire Pro 56 (cool preamp emulations), but I opted for the Focusrite Pro 40 because it was within my budget, and I've got 16 classic preamps in my Soundcraft board if I ever want to be the George Martin of L.A. I'll need a few more mics for the string section, though! 
I've never seen a new iMac with the Intel i3 processor discounted, but they did it. So after all the advice of saving for a MacPro, even refurbished, I just couldn't do it right now. Especially since I'm sequencing 95% of my tracks, I'll have plenty of computer for what 'I' do!
PLUS, because I went under my $2000 budget, I can hire a techie from AudioMidi @ $50/hr. to troubleshoot my Midi interface problems. That will be money well spent, believe me!
Thanks again everyone --- wish me luck!
Ern
