Please forgive me if this is a simple answer, I am new to RME, and this forum...

I am hoping to purchase a BabyFace for a new recording project, with the hope of recording 6-8 tracks simultaneously, with low-latency monitoring (32 buffer?), preferably in 96k, with minimal, but some EQ and Reverb via TotalMixFX Monitoring, with an external 8 Ch preamp connected to the ADAT IN on the BabyFace.  My equipment is listed below.

I've looked everywhere for my answers on the RME site, and read all manuals, videos, and searched this forum, but can't find these answers.  According to Pg 35 of the BabyFace Manual it states:

17.5 Channel Count under Core Audio
At a sample rate of 88.2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT optical input and output operates in S/MUX mode, so the number of available channels is reduced from 8 to 4.
At a sample rate of 176.4 and 192 kHz, the ADAT optical input and output operates in S/MUX4 mode, so the number of available channels is limited to 2.

It's confusing - Is the "number of available channels" listed here only ADAT optical input channels, or does it include the 2 BabyFace Analog channels?  i.e. Is the max input channels at 96k 4 or 6 channels (including both ADAT optical and Babyface analog input channels).  The chart listed on the same page is more confusing for me, so I thought it best to ask here.

Also, as for low-latency monitoring via the BabyFace, the only info I could find is on the Tested System Compatibility page, which is out-dated for the Mac systems (i.e. nothing with the Intel Quad-Core processors running 10.7 Lion).  I realize it all depends on how many plug-ins, and my system, etc., but I'd just like an approximate with my kind of system and just using the TotalMix FX monitoring software + Babyface + ADAT in.

My questions are:

1)  What is the lowest realistic latency I can expect while tracking 6-8 channels via BabyFace with minimal EQ and reverb running thru TotalMixFX?  (32 samples, 64?, 128?)

2)  What is the maximum/total number of simultaneous input channels I can expect to record with this set-up including 2 BabyFace analog + ADAT at 96k?  (4?  6?  less?) 

Or...

3)  What is the maximum kHz I can realistically record 6 tracks on with my set-up?  How about 8 tracks?  (48k, 96k, less than 48k?)  

The questions above will determine if I can purchase the BabyFace for tracking, or due to budget limitations, if I need to purchase another-brand firewire unit.  I really want the BabyFace and to upgrade to RME! 

Thank you for any help you can provide, and for your patience with an excited newbie to RME.

Shawn

My Equipment:
2011 MacBook Pro 2.3 Intel Quad Core
8 MG RAM
OSX 10.7  Lion
7200 Lacie Rugged 500 HD connected via firewire 800
Logic Pro 9.7.4
BabyFace Interface - USB 2.0
Prosonus or MOTU 8 CH pre-amp (or RME Octa if I can rent one!)