Best way to transfer from MD to PC while keeping good quality?

["john parks" wildme_wildme]

I am wondering what would be the better software to use to transfer
some sounds from my MD to my PC. I have an older model MD and will be
using the double male 1/8 connections to transfer. What I need to know
is what program would be best as far as keeping the sound as close to
normal as possible during the transfer, what format to save the files
in, what bit rate Ect.Also what would be the best editing software to
try and edit out some hiss popos and back ground noises. If anyone
could help me with this it would much appreciated. Thank you.