what?
how dare you put is in 2nd place over your new born daughter!
shame.
+T for passing the genetics along.
ok..
1. bit depth is irrelevent. this deck ps2/minimod would work w/a R9 just the same as a mini-disc or DAT deck
2. this setup doesn't suck at all !
I think your SBM would help boost things a bit. worth a try.
the hack for the XLRs > 3.5mm is easy.
take pin2 from the right channel XLR, that wire will be the "ring"
take pin2 from the left channel XLR, that wire will be the "tip"
take the ground ..., that wire will be the shield.
this is sort of funky as the output is balanced, and there really isnt' a good way to "unbalance it" w/o digging into the PS2 unit itself.
But, i've done it several times. it works like a charm.