Yes, you can install just the PCI card and not the analog daughter card. However, you will only have digital IO available since the analog card would not be installed. That would leave you with one coaxial S/PDIF in and out as well as one optical Adat or optical S/PDIF in and out, and the Firewire port. In the future, you could purchase the Audio Dock (breakout box) separately to add analog and digital IO and add it to your existing 1212m card.