I Need Help With Buying Decision....

[Norm Mix]

I'm looking at taking the Pro Tools LE plunge for my home...
I've been in the music business over 20 years and I do have a friend that has the
full blown HD3 Studio if I need it.
I'm a Keyboard player that plays guitar as a second instrument.
Some Studio Equipment I already own is a ....
Mackie 1604VLZ Pro, Mackie HR824 monitors, and a couple of studio mics.
I have a few questions for you LE users, if you don't mind.
(This system will be for a one to Two person user at home.
(I will be using it as a MIDI system along with the BFD program for song writing demos.)
Questions:
Does the new DIGI 003 have the same pre amps as the M-Box2 Pro?
Would the only advantage of having the DIGI 003 over the M-Box2 be the faders and ins and outs? (I don't mind mixing with a mouse)
Is there any differences in latency for the two?
Does the new DIGI 003 come with 48 tracks or is that a software add on like the M-Box?
I'm looking an efficient a bang for the buck system,
but don't want to spend more than is necessary.
Any Ideas or wisdom would be very helpful. Thanks! Norm

[auxsend1]

I'm pretty sure the 003 preamps are better than Mbox 2 Pro's.
Overall audio quality (converters, analog section, etc.) is supposed to be better.
I believe they can both run at 64 in the Playback engine, so they'd be the same in that dept.
48 track comes with either the Music Production Toolkit or DV Toolkit 2.

[albee1952]

The biggest advantage over the original Mbox is the ability to use low latency mode instead of the mix knob. Not sure how the Mbox 2 deals with that. If it still uses the mix knob, it makes punch-ins a PITA.

[Norm Mix]

Thanks Auxsend1
Does anyone else have any input here?
Will the Mbox 2 Pro do as good as the Digi 003 for a one man home studio?
Thanks! Norm