Checking the manual, looks like the breakout cable for digi in is included. Strange design choice, IMO. Why have practically a proprietary mini-mini jack to an RCA breakout when a regular RCA coax would fit? The Microtrac is similar in size and has a full size coax. I don't see anything about this unit that would drive me to sell my 661 for it. Steve does not need a real reason to switch up gear, so don't go by his rationalizations for why he wants to try this Tascam out.
* Merry Christmas Steve, btw *
Brad, I'm thinking that their reasoning was that they saved one jack with this design since that's a dual purpose jack (digi-in and remote control input). Perhaps they needed the space on the inside.
I can't speak to why they used a mini-jack, but I didn't see that as a real big deal. I guess people say that digi-cables should be a different impedence than others, but I've used 'normal' el-cheapo RCA cables for between my SPDIF connections in the past and they seemed to work just fine. Maybe I just got lucky, but my thinking was that any ole RCA > mini-jack cable could be used even if I don't have the short cable that's supplied with the unit.
As far as my rationalizations for trying out new gear, you got me!
Merry Christmas back at-cha!
PS: I'll be in Richmond for the holidays...if I can get it past the boss, since she'll be spending it with her sisters, I might try to escape on NYE and catch Brothers Past at Canal Club.