Basic questions about analoge to digital ripping

Im only interested in Analage to digital (records and reel to reel 4 channel) to CD. My high end stereo has no spdif or any other digital in/out. I own a Marantz CD recorder already. (Good but looking for a PC solution that's better.)I'm looking for an external box sound system that I can use on a laptop or my desktop. Both have USB and Firewire inputs
Questions
1. I've read on this forum lots of complaints about USB glitches and ticks. Would the firewire connection be better because of its improved bandwidth?
2. I theoretically like the M-Audio Audiophile firewire version but it only has 2 RCA inputs. Is there a similar 4 channel in version out there? (I dont care about brand but the audiophile seemed to have what I need.)
3. Do I lose anything trying to stick with an external box solution vs a sound card?
4. I'm confused about output. Many system tout AC-3 and many other Dolby/surround outputs. I want straight stereo with no processing. The only multi channel I want to do it 4 channel to 2 channel (stereo mixing). I presume you can turn off Dolby and THX processing?
5. Lastly almost all the threads talk about playing music from computer to stereo using these sound systems as an interface FROM to computer TO the stereo. I would never do that and am on interested in FROM stereo (and 4 channel reel to reel) TO computer to produce high quality stereo CDs. So DACs dont interest me only A to D converters.

Im sorry my other threads missed the mark. But as I'm learning about this stuff my questions are getting more specific.