basic USB soundcard to record mix - sweet or not sweet

I need to get my hands on a basic USB soundcard so I can record my mixes into my PC. Nothing flash, just really want to capture what's coming out of my mixer into a program like audacity or audition to digitise, maybe do some basic tweaking.

My question: is it good enough if I spend 130 bucks on a basic USB soundcard, with RC ins and outs, and a phono/line switch?

or will the soundquality be only marginally better than without soundcard?

Am I much better off to spend more dollars on a soundcard with your normal jack ins and outs(ie not RC) and maybe even firewire?

I have no ambitions for live performance, multichannel kashizzle...

advice?

I was going to say you dont have to spend that much, but after quickly checking rockshop.co.nz Id say you do.
For what your after Id say RCA's are fine, when you say jacks do you mean TRS (the big headphone looking plugs) or headphone style mini jacks?
It doesnt really matter for what your trying to do (IMO)
Really, you would be fine with a quality mini-jack (in on your factory pc's soundcard) cable.
Either way your going to have to record in real time so having usb or firewire wont be a huge advantage.
Anyone else?

yeah, I meant the big jacks (are they called 1/4 inch?). I heard they mean better sound quality than RCAs...

thanks. any other views?

Not necessarily - some very hi end HiFi still utilises RCA, for example.

Not only that but the record out source of most mixers is RCA, so adapting up to 1/4" jack adds no benefit.

To answer your original question, i havent heard a cheap external soundcard yet that wasnt better quality than the shite built in styles.

On a similar note, does anyone know of a cheap SPDIF USB interface? for recording from a DJM800. Only cheapish ones I've come across are optical.

SPDIF = Optical. (doesnt it?) One and the same.
Sony/Phillips Digital Interface.

Different plugs. Both digital. You can get converters from one to the other though.

I've used a Behringer UCA 202 for about a year now, pretty sweet & quality OK, especially for what you need it for. There are variations on it (UCA 222 & UFO 202). Got mine for about $60 AUD

Check these out
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/PA-pro-audio-DJ-equipment/Computer-recording/auction-240222936.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Behringer-UFO-202-U-PHONO-USB-Audio-Interface-UFO202_W0QQitemZ200379577035QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea78db2cb&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177