Need advice on LP/cassette to CDR transfer, self-explanatory Options

[simbob]

Greetings.

I'm new to this forum, and hope that you folks can help me.

Main question: what's the best way to transfer LPs and cassettes to CDR?

Related info:

I have a Mac G4.

Some people have recommended that I purchase the Digidesign MBox, a new product that allows for two channels of 24-bit input into a computer (or something like that). Is this necessary, or should I (can I) just plug directly into my computer? I want a top-quality transfer, but don't want to go into overkill mode when I purchase the necessary equipment.

Thanks for any advice you can offer, and please feel free to email me directly.