i'd imagine usb is capable of transferring audio as well as any rca cables... it's going to have way more to do with your needle and your soundcard, probably...
you're freaking your shit out anyways, beyond recognition with effects, etc...so don't worry about it...
i record onto overdubbed cassingles and bury them things in the yard for one week, peeing on them like whats his name, and then i dig them up and record them again into my minicassette 1974 dictation walkman thing from across the room yahurdme