marsnic...the 828mkii does support 24/96, so that would be the first 1396 interface that supports it.
my post above was for the old 828, not the 828mkii. its still only 8 analog inputs, but at least you get wordclock I/O and an additional 8 ADAT I/O.
unless you need the 16 analog inputs of the Hercules, I would think the 828mkii is the better deal. at leats its a proven piece of equipment!