I like you don't do any recording, and I ended up with the Steinberg UR22 for $149. It's built VERY solid, works great for my purposes.
The only annoyance is that sometimes I get USB conflicts (which I don't understand), so I have to restart my computer in order for Cubase to recognize it. But I don't think that has anything to do with the UR22, it's an unexplained problem with my computer.
Still, with all the USB peripherals that can come into play with DAW work (USB breath controller, for example), if I had it to do over again I might go with an internal card, which you suggested was your intent.
Hobbyist ...
Sy Woods, Brass, Perc I, Str Pro, Elite Str, Duality Str & Sordino, Prime ...
Sy-ized Woods, Perc, Solo Str, Ch Str, App Str, Harps, Choir, Dim Brass, Dim Strings ...
VE Pro, MIR Pro 3D, Vienna Suite Pro ...
Cubase 12, Studio One 6, Dorico 5