I have been there. I'm still there really.
The questions you should start with (now that you already have your budget) are:
1) How many simultaneous inputs do I need?
a) What type should they be? (phantom xlr/combo, rca, s/pdif, midi?)
2) Will I ever want to run it 'standalone' (without connecting it to a computer) ?
Then look at the field reports for those boxes that still fit the bill.
The firebox gets very positive reviews and supports a bunch of inputs.
The konnekt8 is untried in our field but has garnered some good reviews so far (it's still quite new.) Mine has just arrived but I haven't plugged it in yet...
The Alesis is, in this circle not a proven product either. I haven't read up on that one but I have looked at it and it's got some nice looking features. I have no idea what level of quality the pres or adc provide, though.