Musicians? Anyone do better than iMic?

[chadbang]

I've once again misplaced my damn iMic which I use for pumping my guitar into my book (I still HATE Apple for getting cheap and dumping the line-in jack on their products - the artist's tool, right!). I'm think of buying a replacement iMic, but I was wondering if anyone else has found a low-cost USB input device that works similarly. Edirol now has the UA-EX1 out ($65) and there maybe some others in that price range I don't know about. I wonder if the UA-1EX betters the iMic? Can't find a comparision in the web. Does anyone have any recommendation. The iMac worked decently (sometimes the software hung up) and I guess I wouldn't mind directly replacing it, but if someone can suggest a better USB converter that doesn't break the bank, I'd appreciate it.

 

[milhouse6]

When I was looking a year ago, my value-for-money decision was the M-Audio Fast Track USB (about $100). I've got some quite decent mics so my primary motivation was easy mobile XLR input.

For my needs, it's just right. USB-powered, the SQ is acceptable and the latency's alright.