I've been archiving vinyl & cassette tapes for the better part of 25 years or so. While I am more then comfortable with what I do, but I am always looking for new and improved or a better technique on getting the source to digital. I usually prefer the "flat" method of source to recorder (currently a Tascam DR-100mkIII) in 24/192 wav, then I make a secure copy of that before doing any post work at all. I always keep the flat transfer in case I need to re-visit it at a later date.
Now to get to my point, I see a LOT of people using USB audio interfaces like the popular Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (among others). Is there any advantages to this that I am unaware of? It's probably not an issue these days, but in the olden years, latency was an issue with just about any USB audio device. Also, USB use to be * "doubled" for a lack of better term ... with the left and right channels combined. When you would look at it in a spectral graph both left & right would be identical. Has this been fixed over the last two decades? Remaining true to the stereo source is paramount in what I do.
* A little background here: when I say use to be, a lot of people disagree with me on this, but I know for a fact that it was because I had so many issues with it in years past. Keep in mind, I'm talking USB from 20-25 years ago (USB is only 27 years old).
I'm curious about what people use in their chain BETWEEN source (vinyl/cassette) and wav file. After it's transferred, I'm confident in my workflow so I don't need any pointers there (that sounds arrogant and it's not intended to be) ... I'm just interested in the chain and what I may be missing out on.
I'm excited to read some thoughts!