"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article om, Rob
wrote:


I still prefer the PC route though, having finally found a way for it to
work easily and reliably. This with deference to Jim's idea of a
standalone CDR - didn't really get on with the NAD and Yamaha machines I
used.

FWIW I'd agree that a suitable soundcard+computer+software combination is
quite capable of making excellent recordings. And I'd agree that this then
saves the need to 'import' recordings from some other audio recorder. So
very convenient if you get something working correctly.

My worry is just that it seems to me that choosing a combination that
genuinely works well can be a minefield. Not yet found a setup that worked
correctly 'as came'.

My impression is that in the general 'PC' biz there often is no real
distinction between "I can hear something" and "works fine". Indeed, I've
seen some comments in computer mag articles that make me think the authors
are clueless about issues like resampling problems, timing problems,
clipping, etc, etc. So I have my doubts that most computer mags will help.
And I also fear that the 'advice' in audio mags can lack the required clue
about computers. (The last couple of issues of HFW have been
amusing/depressing on that score, for example.)

And if you choose the soundcard+pc+software route you may run into the
snag
of needing to 'upgrade' a few years later. Particularly if driven by
playing 'keepie uppy' with Windows or Macs by other requirements.

But in the end, it is another example of personal choice, based on what
the
individual prefers and has most experience with.

Slainte,

Thanks, Jim, you've summed it up. I keep my PC for word processing, email,
pictures for eBay and occasionally catching up with Radio 7. My audio stuff
is quite separate, and I'd prefer it to remain so. I asked for comments on
the Brennan in this NG a while back, and all the replies pointed me towards
a PC solution. My point is that while I've had a few failures on the audio
system(s) over the years - mainly blown fuses, an arcing failure on the ESL,
a burnt out valve etc - I've never had one which caused me to lose my
entire record/CD collection! Entirely possible with a PC based solution,
whether from a virus, unspecified bugs or simply Bill Gates waking up with a
hangover and deciding to render all previous releases obsolete. I don't
want "music on the move", I'm just looking for a way of archiving the whole
lot and giving me ease of access, hence my interest in the Brennan (no, I'm
not plugging it, I haven't bought one yet) but if it really does what it
says on the tin and works straight out of the box then it takes away all the
problems of software compatibility and so on which do not interest me at
all.

Geoff