how are you guys expanding your i/o capabilities?

im thinking of getting additional I/O's to my exisiting Motu 828 to compliment the new mixer im getting.

Right now the plan is to sequence in cubase, and then send everything back out to a mixer and then back in on a stereo pair.

Not sure if alot of people are doing this these days or just mixing everything in the box, but i need some advice on whether to get a brand new 828 and daisy chain, or just get an expansion box from another company and link it through ADAT.

Will there be a huge difference in sound quality and pricing? Would spending anotther thousand dollars be justified in getting an 828 if its used simply for expansion and nothing else?

get an 8 channel ad/da with adat to connect to your motu. the alesis ai3 is a good bargain with converters of similar quality to those on the motu.