Alesis Converters vs. ?

[leddy]

I'm hoping someone can offer some insight:

I am planning on upgrading my current portable recording rig. Right now, I use a Tascam 788 (to get 6 tracks at once) with a Yamaha MG and SP VTB-1 preamps available on the front end. My mics are decent (Earthworks, Beyer, Oktava, Shure, etc.). I mix in Cubase with good plugs (UAD-1, Voxengo).

My next step will be at least 8 tracks at once and better pres. I like stand-alone DAWs. I need to be very portable. I'm worried about the converter quality of those such as a Yamaha AW1600 vs. something possibly better like an HD24. Is there a big difference?

I'm thinking of an HD24 with either two racks of 4-ch. Sytek pres or possibly the True Systems 8 ch. But then I have to have a mixer as well to monitor. It would be cheaper and lighter to go with the same pres and the AW1600.

Another option is a good mixer that serves as my preamps as well I suppose. Probably would look at A&H for that. Then I need to understand the difference between A&H and Sytek or True Systems. (I need clean pres).

Any recommendations? Thanks.