I use a fairly brainless, but perhaps time consuming method to do the conversion. It results from my having inherited a Sony minidisc recorder. So, what I do is, in real time, I copy the stereo signal from my amp line into the minidisc recorder. The disadvantages are that this is real time and, of course, the Sony compression algorithms (whatever they are, I'm no expert). The advantages are that this also gives me a method to record from other sources like radio programs (ie, in November 2004, CBC's "In Performance" broadcast a performance by Uri Caine with a CBC Orchestra of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations) and the minidisc recorder automatically sets volume and balance levels. I then play the minidisc and send the signal through the computer sound card, using, because I have it and its cheap and easy, Roxio Spin Doctor. This is another real time process. After the music is captured, I put track markers in. I do not do any fancy sound editing and Spin doctor is not really equipped for that anyway. The results have been very satisfying (albeit time consuming). I believe that the most important step with any lp copying is getting as clean record surface as possible. This method works for me.