this subject keeps coming up more and more as hardware makes its comeback. There are numerous used high quality 6x8 or 8x8 midi routers on Craigslist or Ebay that cost well under $100 and give you 0ms delay in midi routing (according to Innerclock tests).
I myself picked up a Roland A-880 a few months ago and it works great as a standalone unit. The Edirol version of this can connect to a computer but is much more expensive on the used market. Another top quality unit is the Digital MX-8. Cheap as well but very good. If you are going to spend $60 or $70 for a new 1x2 or 2x2 unit, I would consider a used 8x8 and plan for the future instead.