I have used a Masterlink to record sessions straight to 2-track stereo at a high sample rate, mostly as a backup to 1/2" analog tape, 15 IPS with Dolby S. We used Apogee A/D's, like most high-end studios. The hard drive recording sounds pretty good, but it ain't tape. Judging by the quality of the D/A's I would not expect the built in A/D's to be anything special. I never tried it, and no one at the studio ever seemed to either, since they have much classier out board gear at their disposal.
I read some post that claimed the Masterlink made a good transport for an out board DAC, but I have my doubts. I used the Masterlink to make some copies of reference disk from a mastering session, and I then listened to the copies. The sound was so bad I rescheduled the mastering session, until I went back to the original and realized that the copies suffered from horrible jitter. Copies made from the my Anthem CD-1 to the Masterlink sounded fine, so the problem seems to be with the built player or its connection to the hard drive.
The thing is versital, but it definitely has limits. I'm sure it could be modded and hot-rodded to good effect. But you may find that you could do just as well if not better with a computer and soundcard.
I read some post that claimed the Masterlink made a good transport for an out board DAC, but I have my doubts. I used the Masterlink to make some copies of reference disk from a mastering session, and I then listened to the copies. The sound was so bad I rescheduled the mastering session, until I went back to the original and realized that the copies suffered from horrible jitter. Copies made from the my Anthem CD-1 to the Masterlink sounded fine, so the problem seems to be with the built player or its connection to the hard drive.
The thing is versital, but it definitely has limits. I'm sure it could be modded and hot-rodded to good effect. But you may find that you could do just as well if not better with a computer and soundcard.