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UPSIDE: Sturdy, handsome, simple and works well. No switches or controls to set. A complete package with cables and Nero software that works with Windows, purports to work with the Mac and, for those fortunate- or enlightened- enough to use Linux, works perfectly with Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala). DOWNSIDE: Lack of input level control could cause noisy rips from weak sources or distortion from overly strong sources. No phono preamp, so you cannot directly connect an unamplified turntable. Depending on the nature of your project, this may not be the best choice. I snagged this at an exceptional price from an eBay auction that I discovered with just a few minutes remaining, without time to research alternatives. I reinstalled the Windows HDD pulled when I converted to Ubuntu so I could evaluate the ripping software and had the ADS running in less than 20 minutes. The test rip was fine, but Nero's interface was too cartoonish for my taste, so I once again restored Ubuntu and had the ADS running with that in 10 minutes. I used Audacity for the rips, a free download which I strongly recommend for serious Windows, Mac or Linux users (yes, there is a learning curve). The device is USB powered, with a red LED to indicate power. There is also a green audio indicator which is supposed to flash when fed audio through the RCA jacks. On my box, sometimes it is lit and sometimes dark, without rhyme or reason, and with no controls to set and unable to reach ADS, I decided not to care. The ripped audio, even from tapes recorded from FM 30 years ago, sounds beautiful (after some TLC with Audacity) and I could not be more pleased. Should you buy it? If your project includes just audio from standard line level sources like tape decks and you have a fair number of tapes to rip, it is a perfect choice. Persnickety audiophiles planning to play their rips through $20,000 of sound equipment would do better to invest in a studio-grade converter starting at several hundred dollars. If you have a mix of tapes and LPs with an unamplified turntable, and do not have an phono preamp or receiver incorporating one to press into service, there are boxes slightly more expensive than the ADS which include both level control and phono preamp. If your project is all LPs and you lack a decent turntable, then a USB turntable would likely be the best option. Finally, if you have just a handful of LPs or tapes, get an audiophile friend to do you a favor and buy him (or her) a nice dinner in appreciation.Read full review
This piece of hardware was EXACTLY what I wanted. I'm not sure where we went wrong, as the description indicated Mac compatible. The device came with a worthless (to me, anyway) disc with some .exe file. There's a happy ending though: I was able to download Audacity for Mac (it's OK), and a separate piece of shareware to create mp3s. The HARDWARE - RCA to USB - was the most important part, and my project was successful. I recommend this for those with at least enough tech-saviness to deal with this. AND...I'm using a 35' RCA phono cable, with no problem piping in my music from a distant room.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is a great interface from a analog audio mixer to a PC via USB port. We have used one for years and needed another interface. I was happy to see one available and at such a great price. It was brand new, just sitting in stock for years. It works as it should and is perfect for us.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is an excellent product for beginners, it is easy to install, easy to run, but the price is to dear with postage. This is NOT an easy machine to service, if it gives trouble scrap it. Regards Mike
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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