Software or hardware Sampler?

Hi, I'll explain my setup in depth. I run Protools LE with a Digi 002 on a Mac PowerBook G4 800. I do my own electronic stuff as well as some paid sessions on the side. I have a few synths and sound modules that I control with Protools midi and a MOTU Micro Express interface. I often end up doing a lot of midi with some audio while composing and then I print the midi to audio as I mix. I use a lot of plug-ins and frequently run out of CPU and Firewire bandwidth. So basically I really use my CPU hard. I have a Roland SP-808 sampler but it uses Zip discs and it's really slow when I trigger samples. I just keep it around for the FX. I plan on doing most of my sample editing in Protools. I have Reason, but I can't get it to come right into Protools like an RTAS plug...so I don't want to deal with it's samplers. Plus it seems slow when triggered by Protools's midi. My question is should I get a Software or hardware sampler? Hardware samplers are so ridiculously cheap right now so that road is tempting. I like physical gear with knobs but I'm running low on midi I/O. With hardware I've been looking for used Yamaha A4000 (going for $400!?!), roland VP-9000, or E-Mu 4XT Ultras. I like the idea of just throwing a midi note out my CPU is done, but my I/O is getting full... Software samplers seem so easy and if they come up at an RTAS plug-in like my Pro-52 digi edition and Sampletank...that would be great. I just don't know how much CPU power this takes to operate. I'm looking at the new MOTU MachFive and Native Instruments Kompact. I hear Unity sucks.... Basically I wan't minimum CPU drainage, and fast timing. What should I get?

I'm making the same decision right now as I am expanding my studio sampling needs. I'm really hearing some great stuff about Gigastudio and I'm starting to get excited about it. It runs on a PC and streams the samples right off a hard drive. You would use the PC with Giga on it like a Sampler unit and trigger it with midi like you do any other sound module. Check it out

toadman, Are you referring to sounds that come with Gigastudio? I don't know much about this sampler and am looking for more info on it. Have you loaded up any drum or percussion samples into it? Is so, how do you like it for this application. Any comments would be appreciated.