There is no need to spend money on Apogee's great A>D conversion for this project...
Original poster is looking for bit-perfect digital transfers.
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/element-24
This is a new line of products by Apogee. optical I/O, XLR/TRS I/O...
HAHAHA IT's SMOKENBURN! I thought you left, FELICIA!!!
It's a good option for analog or digital transfers and there may be some interest here for this as well as other uses (high quality playback with analog, digital, headphone I/O's, mastering, AD/DA, preamps, recording). $600 new and $200 for used older interfaces particularly is a good investment. If a $30 recorder with spdif or replacement maudio card works for you then great. The OP expressed interested in external audio interfaces. "Are there any GOOD external/usb interfaces I should consider?" VERBATIM. "Or an interface of some sort, would be more versatile at this point." Verbatim. What the FUCK do you think this is? The OP didn't state a price range/budget and you aren't going to find any "good" interfaces for $30.
So many classy douchebag "tapers" on this site. I'm not going to get into your passive aggressive internet behavior, but I'll tell you this... your comments and attitude have been noted. Some of you really should learn about reaping what you sow.
hahahahaha nerds in a group laughing.
OP: "any advice is appreciated".
You're welcome.