CompuServe Thread

Bob, The 8-bit/16-bit refers to the SCSI card data path width, not sound. For the DRM-604, its audio sound comes from analog connections (stereo RCA-style jacks in the back of the unit). Pioneer supplies an audio cable which you can use to connect its audio out to a sound card input or any stereo receiver/ampflifier. The MultiSound is the best of sound cards. However, it alone will set you back $500 or more ($599 list). If you're set on the 604 (its hard not to), then all you have left to decide is the SCSI card. Keep in mind that with its quad speed (612K/sec), some of the older 8-bit/SCSI I cards might not be able to give you the *full* data transfer rate – though you'll still get more than any double speed CD-ROM drive I bet. On the other hand, if you're about to get an EISA/VLB box, it is nearly a crime to buy an ISA SCSI card now instead of an EISA or VLB later. And if that's not enough indecision, SCSI II FAST/WIDE cards are starting to be announced (not delivered), and the SCSI III spec is nearing completion … Bottom line: get the 604 and a cheap 8bit SCSI I card to minimize your current cost and maximize your post-upgrade flexibility, with little throw-away expense. If your current box supports EISA, maybe get a 32 bit EISA FAST SCSI II card (like the UltraStor 24F) now. Regards, Mark BTW, I wrote a review on the Pioneer and uploaded it to CI$ – look for 604RVW.TXT in the CD-ROM forum (Lib 7, I think).