NoBeige reader, Jeff Perrin, writes regarding Opcode’s DATport, which is a USB device that inputs digital audio from sources with coaxial digital output:

Although the DATport you reported on may allow users to import digital audio to the imac, it only solves half the issue for the computer’s audio shortcomings. This is because most digital audio software and hardware manufacturers WILL recommend that you use a dedicated (and fast! Sorry, no usb solution here!) hard drive for recording purposes. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging system files from the constant fragmenting of files that occurs in the digital recording process.

Opcode is promising Macintosh drivers for early 1999.