Would an EMU 0404 fit the bill on this? Then again it would be nice to spend a little more and get a unit that could also act as a nice external dac and/or headphone amp in a pinch. It doesn't appear that the Apogee MiniDac has inputs though.

The E-MU0404usb can act as an external DAC; it has digital inputs.

The built in headphone amp is not so good though. As for needledrops they never sound like the original vinyl whenever I do them with this box :'(

Reks mentioned the Apogee Mini-Me (IIRC since discontinued) for needle drops a while back. I don't think the Mini-DAC can do them.

Would an EMU 0404 fit the bill on this? Then again it would be nice to spend a little more and get a unit that could also act as a nice external dac and/or headphone amp in a pinch. It doesn't appear that the Apogee MiniDac has inputs though.

ADC quality matters more than DAC quality, because ADC quality lasts forever Get a mac mini and a duet, and you're good for needle drops and playback.

Get a mac mini and a duet, and you're good for needle drops and playback.

This would be really sweet, its just a lot of cash. I do really, really want to do some needledrops though.

This would be really sweet, its just a lot of cash. I do really, really want to do some needledrops though.

Around a grand, which is cheaper than other comparable dac only solutions, apparently

I have a M-Audio Audiophile Firewire that I've used a few times to transfer stuff ... Sounds decent

If I ever get a turn table, I may get this too.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/ad16x.php

What'choo need 16 channels for? Turntables are usually 2 channel, 4 at most.

What'choo need 16 channels for? Turntables are usually 2 channel, 4 at most.

ah the joys of Quadraphonic

I have tried out my M-audio Audiophile USB for recording some stuff and it worked fine. I dont know how good it is though