probably because the original audio source is analog (vinyl)
the only real way for you to have that digital connection to be of any good use is if you spin cds and you have a digital signal going from your cd players to the mixer then to the computer

sound quality loss occurs whenever an audio signal is converted from analog to digital or vise versa

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ_Shockwav probably because the original audio source is analog (vinyl) the only real way for you to have that digital connection to be of any good use is if you spin cds and you have a digital signal going from your cd players to the mixer then to the computer sound quality loss occurs whenever an audio signal is converted from analog to digital or vise versa

Shockwave is correct. Digital out to digital in is great if you have an original digital signal, because the digital signal is never lost.
HOwever, in you case, if you use turntables, the signal is analog to begin with, so you are not really achieving the true benifit.
Considering you are using a TTs, and if you really persist on getting better quality recordings, and you still prefer to use good old vinyl, then you can either use an anolog to digital converter box, with like a 32 bit ADC, or just purchase a good 32 bit sound card and record in 32 bit.
Some other pointers:
YOu can upgrade your RCA cables from your turntables, get good thick RCA cables, like from Monster... make make good ones. Switch all other RCAs that you are using to high grade RCAs. Again, i would recommend Monster cable.

so what's the point of the digital out on the turntables?

quote:

Originally posted by prestige so what's the point of the digital out on the turntables?

Well... i believe if the tt has a digital out, it must have an anolog to digital converter.
Besides that.. if you have a digital out, if you would run it with a digital cable to whatever source (mixer, minidisc recorder, computer, etc) that has a digital input, there would be less signal loss than running it from the original RCAs. Remember, analog singals are reduced when sent through its terminal.
Basically, you would get less signal loss by using the digital out from a tt.
That is my logical guess, but i could be wrong.