..also worth considering the absolute Hi Fi audio quality of any analog
recordings converted to digital
will be determined by the quality of the A/D converters
of the audio interface hardware used for audio transfer.

eg.. the 16 bit A/D converters in my Pioneer Audio CD Recorder
are high 'domestic' quality,
good enough for most semi-pro 'enthusiast' audio applications.

..my Line 6 Tone Port USB 'mini studio' is very good entry-level
24 Bit
'pro'audio quality..

..my new E-mu PC audio card
[cant wait to get a better PC to use it in]
is even higher quality, and considered oustanding value for £££$$$

.. my Behringer USB2 BCA2000 and M-Audio USB Black Box
are probably just as good as anything else hovering
under the best current standards set for budget price semi-pro music gear
by E-mu's current sound card product range..


the point is..

.. all these items of equipment are capable of audio transfers
that will satisy the normal listening requirements of all but the most
hyper sensitive of 'golden ears' audio professionals
and over affluent gear snobs..


..so realisticaly..

even the A/D audio conversion qualities of low cost entry level
domestic USB audio interfaces [ hhmmmRDX-150.. less than $40 !!!]
and the line-in input
of the average PC onboard soundchip

which are generally derided as crap by 'know all' Hi-Fi buffs

are plenty good enough for most people
who just want to archive family and friends recordings
that were only ever origionally recorded
on fair to decent amateur domestic recording equipment..