Dirtball A/D conversion.

Having recently acquired a all digital pre-amp - I was left in a quandry - how to get my analog sources into the system ?
I started using my Marantz DR-700 CD audio recorder - selected for analog inputs , paused in record and simply left on. I switch inputs via a niles box. I realize that this is far from elegant and was looking for a alternative . Appreciated the WADIA suggestions - but these where just too expensive for my modest requirments ( Stereo TV and FM tuner). I ended up buying a not totaly functional second DR-700 off of ebay . This will simply be "paused" continuosly and will do the job.
I realize this is getting a little long - but I got a interesting suggestion from a home recordist type at a local custom instalation shop. He was reasonably certain that some ( maybe most?) DAT recorders would offer a similar A/D passthrough function and said semi worn out DAT's went for cheap.
Certainly this isn't the answer for everybody - but could be a handy way to bridge the strange digital to digital - analog to analog divide that seems to be the accepted practice with even relativly expensive and feature rich surround recievers. You would just have to come out the tape out on the analog end - thru the DAT/CD-audio,etc. and into a selected digital input on the same piece of equipment.
I know it's a kluge - but a effective one.
Anyone actaully tried this with a DAT ?
Anyone got any experience with the M-Audio Flying Cow?