Something with a SPDIF out?

[tomteriffic]

I'm looking for suggestions for a device (preferably cheap) that has some sort of analog (mic, line, etc.) input and a SPDIF output on an RCA. It doesn't need to be fancy, cool or the highest tech ever, just something that will accept a line-level input and be able to spit out a SPDIF bitstream out the back.

It's to be used to get two more analog inputs into a computer recording interface. It would be used infrequently, but would be right handy once in a while. A quick perusal of the current crop of A/D convertors seems to start at about 8 times what I paid for the interface and is pretty much massive overkill for my purposes.

Can anybody think of some sort of hi-fi gizmo, earlier generation recording hardware, etc. that would do the trick?

TIA

[morningstar]

I have owned about 3 DigiTech RP-14D floor effects units. They all had unbelievable cleans and a digital S/PDIF out. They recorded real well. Replace the crappy stock Chinese 12AX7 (I used 5751's and 12AT7 types for really nice smooth tube-ie-ness). I still miss these things, but they don't seem to get sold. They either all fell apart or maybe people just don't part with them.

I dunno squat about "lightpipe" optical SPDIF (except they always seemed to be cranky to set up). I am somewhat retarded through, so no surprise there.

Tubes make me smile!

morningstar

[jaberwock]

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=79&cat=1&id=99

These go for under 200 $ ( and much less used on ebay ), have two useable mic pres as well, and the A/D conversion is reasonable, if not great; with A/D conversion you really get what you pay for.

Jaberwock

[JohnnyB]

I'm looking for suggestions for a device (preferably cheap) that has some sort of analog (mic, line, etc.) input and a SPDIF output on an RCA. It doesn't need to be fancy, cool or the highest tech ever, just something that will accept a line-level input and be able to spit out a SPDIF bitstream out the back.

It's to be used to get two more analog inputs into a computer recording interface. It would be used infrequently, but would be right handy once in a while. A quick perusal of the current crop of A/D convertors seems to start at about 8 times what I paid for the interface and is pretty much massive overkill for my purposes.

Can anybody think of some sort of hi-fi gizmo, earlier generation recording hardware, etc. that would do the trick?

TIA

What's a reasonable budget for this? There are sure a lot more low cost DACs for consumer audio out there than ADCs. However, on Amazon I found a few that are under $40 though I can't attest to their performance or sound quality.

Here's one for $33.26 that puts out both Coax and Toslink S/PDIF. This looks like the same thing for $21.99.

And this Menotek sits in the middle and got 5-star ratings from all 8 user reviewers.

[tomteriffic]

That's just the ticket, John. A subsequent look-around found what looks to be the same idea (who knows, maybe the same actual innards??) for close to twice that much, but I hadn't found these. Looks like it'd do the trick for my purposes. Thanks!