Lately, there has been some discussion and speculation on MD-L about analog
vs digital for computer to MD transfers. Below I've enumerated the
technical advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of analog are:
1) it *always* works
2) easy level adjustments
The disadvantages of analog are:
1) many computers/soundcards have poor internal signal grounding, not to
mention a *lot* of high-frequency hash (which leads to noise) and/or
undersized coupling capacitors (which produces phase shift and poor
frequency response).
2) possible ground problems between the computer and the MD which causes
mains leakage and resultant hum.
3) unreliable connections due to the low contact pressure of the mini-phone
plugs.
4) an extra D/A and A/D conversion.
Digital transfer has the advantages (when it works):
1) No added noise, distortion, phase errors or poor frequency response.
2) No ground problems with optical. Even if coaxial is used, ground
problems will not cause noise, as with analog.
Digital transfer has the disadvantages:
1) Possible incompatibility problems. For example, the S/PDIF from the
DIO2448 is not accepted properly by the MDS-PC2.
2) Bad connections or ground problems may cause intermittent dropouts or
pops.
3) Due to lack of "flow control" on S/PDIF, high CPU activity may cause
dropouts or pops.
For me, the advantages of digital make it worth the hassle.
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