This thread keeps going and always interesting. Well, I own a firewire (800) interface myself connected to my imac - which is my main music computer. Never had any issues with it, didn't require me to install any drivers, it was plug and play bliss.
If I was to go for the Virus - that, like namnibor said, would like to wait and see what comes next from Access before making such decision - I think I could manage to use wireless connection for both keyboard and mouse if in any way having a free usb bus would help get things going. However, if that's the case it would be a shame, since I have only three USB ports on the Imac (without counting the two extra on the keyboard, which is really like a hub), and the usb hub I bought that doesn't count even for plugging the midi keyboard, despite having it's own power supply and all of that. On the Remote SL, if I plug it to this hub, the screen is somewhat duller, seems like it doesn't get all the energy it should - so that's connected directly to the USB port as well.
Those sound cards you guys are talking about are very good from what I ear and the DSP one was highly recommended - I considered it myself back when I was going for such things. Sure you can't go wrong.
I don't know if I'd buy a sound card with connections to cover such a vast hardware setup. If this was me, I'd rather invest in some good mixer - check for noise-to-signal ratio on them, very important! At least that's what I plan to do myself: connect the hardware to the mixer instead of buying a new sound card with more connections - with the extra bonus of being able to introduce an analogue EQ on the path of course - and being able to create an audio loop for mixing the sub groups of audio from the DAW. Seems pretty convenient to me, and if I plan to get some external effects that's also covered and can even use the sends on the mixer for that as well.
" I have WIN 7 64 bit Home Prem. and NO plans of going WIN 8." Wise words
Cheers