I'm endeavouring to "re-master" some old 4 track mix down tapes from
cassette to pc but I'm having issues with quality. There is noticeable
quality loss from hearing the tape raw (via amp through ns-10's) to
hearing it back on pc. I have tried 3 methods of transfer with less
than satisfying results. 1. straight in from tape to pc via rca ins
(sound card is the audiophile 24/96) this is a little hot cause there
is no attenuation before the card but is probably the best of the 3
methods.
2. I have no a/d convertor so I use the dat machine to attenuate the
signal then send out via spdif to pc (probably sounds the worst).
3. Same method as 1. but use a symetrix limiter to attenuate the
signal.

Any ideas? It seems ridiculous that after dumping to pc I am now going
to have to attempt to restore the original sound of the cassette via
plug ins which I doubt will be able to do so.

Anyone see any other options?

Cheers,
Simon