USB Soundcards anyone?

So I recently bought a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 in Craigslist for cheap, $100. Usually don't buy shit on the list because you never know. Plugged it and after awhile I started getting audio drops that I'm only able to fix by unplugging the usb cord and re-attaching it.. downloaded and installed the last driver for it and same thing. Thinking it was the usb cord that came with the unit I purchased a new one to no avail. Researched the unit more on online and found this is a common problem with it. So now I'm in the market for another one. Any recommendations for a fairly inexpensive, quality unit? Usb one of course.

I've got the Mackie onyx blackjack. It's like $150 new, pretty much functionally equivalent to the 2i2.

It's a mackie, so it's a tank. The angled front panel is also very convenient.
Nice pres, and a good headphone amp. Low noise input, but there seems to be the tiniest amount of digital noise on the output from USB. But I believe this is just due to my macbook's audio stuff, because the noise behaves the same as the noise from the laptop's headphone jack, where the noise cuts out a few seconds after any audio playing stops. It's not noticeable anyway when you have audio playing.

One possible con is that it only does 48KHz max, there are some people that want/need 96 or higher.

I still use my USB mixer. Serves my needs fairly well.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, I see there are a lot of refurb units sold on internet. Maybe you got a defective unit but, since it is a USB device, you should make make sure that your USB audio interface is connected correctly. USB audio interface is less stable than Firewire audio interface, so you have to make sure that system is optimized for your USB audio interface;

1. Disconnect all other connected USB devices, to see it improves performance.
2. Never use USB hubs between a USB audio interface and PC. Connect your USB audio interface directly to your PC.
3. If your USB audio interface accept AC adapter, use AC adapter with the USB audio interface.
4. This is important, but often not mentioned: Make sure that your USB audio interface's sampling rate and Hz matches. For instance, if your USB audio interface can record 24bit, 48kHz, don't record in 24bit 44.1KHz, because your computer has to convert 24bit, 48kHz audio stream to 24bit 44.1KHz in real time, which may result in bad audio quality. If you have to down convert, convert after recording.
I don't know how to set it up in Windows, but on Mac, go to "MIDI Audio Set up." in Applications / Utilities folder.

I still use M-Audio Quattro with my MacBook Pro with Mac OS 10.6.8, 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo model. It is considered old model now. M-Audio Quattro came out more than 10 years ago, but it still works with my MacBook. (There is a thread about M-Audio Quattro on MPC Forums.) It can do 24bit, 48kHz 2 in + 2 out, no problem. It is pretty impressive for USB 1.0 audio interface that came out more than one decade ago.

can't go wrong with apogee duet, or uno depending on yer needs.

incredibly sound.

Dont buy a Tascam US-1800.............had two units from Tascam, both of them failed due to poor USB boards fitted in factory by Tascam.

Have my replacement unit, a Focusrite 18i20 on its way..........i have not heard of focusrite owners having issues.

i still use a Belkin Tunestudio (which i got off a mate in like 05 for some buds) and the thing is bullet proof.

yeah I think I'm gonna go with the apogee duet.. good look on the replies y'all