A/D converter quality in iMac vs dedicated CD recorder

[drystream]

I've got a 2009 iMac and have been recording albums by connecting the output of the tape loop on my preamp into the audio input on the Mac, thus using just the Mac's A/D converter.

I also have a pro CD recorder/player - a Tascam CD-RW 402 - that I've used in the past to record albums onto CDs.

I got to wondering if the analog/digital converter on the Tascam is of better quality than the A/D converter on the iMac.  I haven't been able to find specs to compare them, so my general question is:  would one expect the A/D converter in a pro CD recorder to be better/worse/no different than that in a consumer-grade computer?

I've just recorded an album simultaneously in VS and using the Tascam and will do some listening tests, but just wondered if there is anyone out there who has looked into this question before.  The actual physical process is a little more involved when using a CD recorder, but I'm willing to go that route for better quality.  I can easily import the file off the recorded CD into VS and do the necessary processing and track divisions.

Steve

[Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft)]

Hi,

This is the sort of question they like over at Hydrogen Audio   My own experience is that the A/D converter built into my PC (a Realtek AC97) does a good job.

Can you arrange to do a 'blind' hearing test?  Nothing else is really fair.