Does anyone have experience of using VSTi's (soft synths) with a really good quality sound card????

I'm into virtual instruments in a big way, but I'm using a very cheap sound card and there's about a half second delay from when I press a key on my keyboard, to the sound coming out of the speaker.

I've read that some of the good sound cards like Delta's and Echo's can get this time gap (latency) down to 7 or 8ms. The manufacturers of these cards tell us that this time delay is negligable and that their cards would therefore be ideal for live triggering of VSTi's.

Can anyone confirm whether or not this is true???? Can you REALLY play VSTi's in a live situation and get away with the 7 or 8 milisecond time delay???

I'm on the verge of selling my synth for a sound card so please don't let me do something I'll regret.

Thanks for this!