Is there such an animal as a RCA analog to USB converter that works?

I mean they MIGHT work...

No, they definitely won’t work. As I said earlier, the necessary device would have to emulate the USB function of a computer, meaning that it would have to act as a USB "host." That is a completely different and much more complex task than acting as a peripheral which communicates with a computer, under the control of the computer.

Also, even if they did work (which they won’t), their A/D converter function would undoubtedly leave much to be desired, from a sonic standpoint.

Best regards,
-- Al

George, thanks, but aren’t those things you linked to designed to interface analog signals TO a computer, rather than providing the audio in USB form as if they ARE a computer? The latter being what Uberwaltz would require, as I understand it.

Best regards,
-- Al

So in your opinion I might be better with a switchbox than a passive pre that had say 2 inputs?

Absolutely! A passive preamp with 2 inputs is basically a switchbox + additional stuff (resistors or a transformer) that is directly in the signal path and is unnecessary.

With a pure switchbox, IMO the likeliest source of degradation, should any occur, would be the additional cabling that is necessary. But if you positioned the switchbox close to the Comet chances are good, IMO, that any such effects would be eliminated since the additional cable would be very short.

I should mention, also, that a slight downside of the DB Systems box I referred to is that depending on how the cables that are connected to it are positioned their weight might cause the front of the box to lift up a little bit. I suspect that wouldn’t happen with the Decware unit due to its greater depth.

Best regards,
-- Al

Hello Uberwaltz,

In addition to incorporating an A/D (analog-to-digital) converter function, a device which accepts an analog RCA input and provides a USB output would have to either be a computer or be designed to emulate one, for purposes of supplying that output. I don’t know of any such devices, other than computer-based products.

What I would suggest that you consider is a line-level switchbox. I’ve had good results, although in relatively non-critical applications, with the DB Systems model DBP-2JAU/5 ($110) listed near the top of this page. It is similar to the DBP-2J/5 for which a review and description are linked to, except that it has gold-plated jacks. For contact information go to their home page.

Another possibility, although it costs $359 plus options, is the Decware Zen Switchbox.

Good luck. Best regards,
-- Al