Figure since the ION review was done, would do a review on this converter.

I bought the first one around two year ago and the second one just recently, just ended up getting it, for the primary use, to convert tapes over to wave format mostly for customers, most tapes converted for customers are most are dictation, or old radio programs, so does that job well and also so I playback tapes once in a while. The main feature is that offers easy digitalization of tapes without extra components, when you have limited space.

Paid around $80 buck during that time, which was a reasonable deal considering they when for over $100 buck back then. The second one only paid $40 for it.

Is a full logic deck and is autoreverse. Operation is very simple, as it does lack Dolby, or even tape type selector. It does have front panel controls for the deck and volume dial, plus Mic and headphone jack. Deck can be control thur the provided software via serial port, would have been nice if they use a USB controller instead.

As far as built quailty it decent built, as seen in picture. The playback head is a four track head, so no cheap flip the head over to bring it out of alignment and does have azimuth screws for both directions, just so when the head start to wear you can realign. Analog section not bad uses Philip op-amps.

If you are looking to buy one of these converter, this is the best one to buy, look no further. Sound is pretty good and not built bad and can be service, use external audio processors, so don't need dolby.

 The negatives

1. No tape type selector

2. Serial port to control deck if you want to use the software provided to control deck, but can be use thur front panel buttons to and with other editing daw sofware , so for a newer computer you have to get a USB to serial interface, or use front panel.

3. No hardware pitch control, have to use software.

The positives

1. Use 1/8 jacks for audio, can be used in various different setups.

2. 4 track head for auto reverse, no cheap flip head, and azimuth can be adjusted.

3. Reasonable built quailty for modern deck. 

4. Deck can be control thur computer and does offer option in software to auto spit tracks, so can leave unattended.

Here a couple sample files, recorded using internal Auzentech X-FI modified OP-AMP to a couple 15,000 RPM SAS drive in raid 0 at 96khz 24 bit sample rate, then downgrade to MP3 format using high bitrate, due to upload limit, so can't upload lossless.

Download below