What I meant was that the 1010LT doesn't have a hardware mixer and AFAIK emulates it in software (drivers). Apart from this and the 410, all other m-audios have a hardware mixer.
That really helps when you're pushing plugins to the limit, and latencies are guaranteed (not that they're a problem with today's machines), I'm just more reassured if a pro card does the routing in the chip rather than depend on a PCI bus.
Sorry if my messages confused you. Between the two I would be choosing between the input-output versatility of the 1010LT that will enable you to make the transition to surround mixing, and the more faithful, dependable and maybe (I haven't heard) marginally better-sounding Audiophile 192.
In a review of the 1010LT the reviewer pointed out that there was very little audible difference between the LT and the much more expensive 1010, which may the kind of reassurance you need.
I would still plump for the 192, less channels may mean better channels IME. I'm also not a fan of breakouts with a hundred wires on them (exaggeration, but you get the point).
I don't 'Envy' you, it's a tough decision.
Edit: Apparently I am mistaken - the LT does indeed have a hardware mixer as it uses the same audio controller as the rest of the m-audio line. The main compromise is in the absence of a proper breakout box and lower quality converter than the true pro cards. I am unable to snoop out the DAC and ADC used on the two cards, and it would appear that the decision would be based partially on what those chips are, and partly on how much you like a dozen wires hanging out like a bushy tail from the back of your PC, as opposed to half a dozen.
I don't know how much the Deltas retail for here, but it looks like they're a little cheaper than these two (44<192 and 66<1010LT) and may actually be a better bet - but you lose MIDI support with both those cards, and the 44 doesn't even have SPDIF. The converters are top-shelf stuff though, and the breakout is much neater.
