Don't forget the other option is a J3 adapter. However, those are a much bigger PITA to use unless you have an EPROM emulator also. If you do, it's just half as big a PITA. You still have to know about binary vs hex code, bit offsets, ROM editing, address files, etc. I might go this way on the SVO just to maintain originality.
On the USB-Serial adapter, there seem to be quite a few people using them without issue. My laptop isn't quite 3 years old and it has a DB-9 on the back. That makes me wonder when serial ports started disappearing on laptops. Another option is to get ~20ft of decent CAT5 cable and make a DB-9 for use on a desktop.