Hi David,

David Witzany <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> I've checked these "special" cables out a bit more and, while they're still
> analog, they plug into your sound card's USB port, which the manufacturers
> claim leads to the improved S/N ratio.  On the other hand, several companies
> have these USB-miniplug cables for under $20, so even if I buy the argument, I
> don't have to buy the Xitel cable...

The "USB to Miniplug" products are quite a bit more than just cables.
Since USB is a digital bus, these devices are essentially USB
interfaces coupled with Digital to Analog converters. And since the
D/A conversion is done outside the PC, the analog signal can be kept
pretty quiet. I've tried the Xitel MDPORT-AN1 by the way and like it a
lot.

Can you tell me which other products you've seen, especially those for
under $20?

>  Thanks for all of the responses on this question.  Are there any
> thoughts out there on the Aiwa machines, as far as their sturdiness
> and quality of recorded sound are concerned?  (And I'd still like to
> know whether you can turn the beep off on them...)

AFAIK you can turn the beep off on all Aiwas (at least from AM-F5
onward). I recently played with an Aiwa AM-F70 and found it to be a
fine little machine. We took it into a sound booth and listened for
the occasionally reported "Aiwa hiss" in pause mode but heard nothing,
it was dead quiet.

Rick

-----------------------------------------------------------------
To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word
"unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Reply via email to