Thanks guys... I had read the songstuff.com review (it was one of the things that got me thinking that my friend might have a good idea) -- but now I've gone back and read the other posts in that thread and noticed that the 802 doesn't have a power button. I've got to admit that that right there is almost worth $50. I have a couple of other electronic/computer components that don't have power buttons and that's a big pet peeve of mine...

The Tapco may not be the best mixer to put between the Rode and my computer -- but I was just looking for an inexpensive way to stop using my DVC80 as an audio deck; pulling out a $2100+ camera every time I record a voiceover seems silly.

Agreed, John. I use a Behringer 602 as a monitor board , details in this thread. The lack of power switch is indeed an annoying omission, but I decided for the absurdly low cost I would just leave it on (don't think it's burning anything but neglible power, like a sleeping computer) until it dies. It's hung in there, the little bastid.