That's a very tough question!!!
I assume you mean modern/new digital gear? That's a very tough choice! I'm not head over heels about any of it!
I think the Tascam 2488 is "best value" in a class of devices that I'm not too fond of. There are other units with more features, like Roland, but at twice the cost. For bang/buck phenomenon, it's pretty hard to beat the 2488.
In 16 tracks, I'd probably go for the gusto, & buy
the Tascam SX-1. It at least is a full sized unit, monitor compatible, gives you ample I/O and XLR's and will record 16-simul to disc, right out of the box.
I'm not so fond of the Fostex VF-160,
Yamaha AW-16G or Boss BR-1600, but they each look like well thought out and capable units. I'd consider them, in a pinch, and wouldn't feel too sorry about it. No real strong preference there, but I'd probably lean toward the Boss BR-1600. It's real purdy.
In 8-trackers, it's very tough, because I use the 388 as the yardstick to measure all other 8-trackers against. I know, it's not fair, but that's the way it is.
In 8-track digi's, I might be inclined to go for the Fostex VF-160. Heh. I know! I know! It's a 16-tracker, but it at least will record 8-simul, right out of the box, with no problem. The VF-160, Yamaha AW-16G and Roland BR-1600 16-trackers just seem more practical to me as 8-trackers, but that's my own twisted logic, and YMMV. Remember, my 8-tracker yardstick is the 388!
Going down the food chain more,... the Tascam 788's not such a bad unit. It's cute and small! They're on clearance now, so price is coming down dramatically. It lacks a few key features, but at least it will record 6-simul, right out of the box. CD burner is a wired-add-on, but at least it has cd burning capability. In fact, to preserve the discrete 8-track data format, it's required.
The Tascam DP01 looks like best value in a class of devices that I do not like, so I'm not inclined to get one. However, if you can settle for this class of devices, then it might be a good choice.
The Fostex MR-8? Nah, forget it. Sorry, all you MR-8 guys!! No offense! For some people, I'm sure it's a great choice. It's highly portable, and it's RED!
Do they make digital 4-trackers? Heh. Anyway, I'm not inclined to get any of them. I don't like the PXR4, although Richie swears by it. I don't like the Pocketstudio-5, although I've heard "Havin Fun" & his friends do some fabulous stuff on it. I don't like the Boss BR-532. I don't like Zooms. If I were to have to choose a digital 4-tracker out of this field of competitors,... geez, I'm at a loss. Sorry.
If I really had to bite the bullet on a NEW digital 4-tracker, I'd have to tip my hat to "Havin Fun" and get the Pocketstudio-5. At least the P-5 has a built in midi sequencer, and HF & the guys have done some great stuff with it. I'd make that purchase, and immediately call "Havin Fun" for tips & guidance! The P-5's price has come down significantly, which makes it a better buy, over all, PLUS, it's no so micro-miniaturized that it's TOO small, like the PXR4. As with anything, YMMV.
OKAY, I've reviewed the field of known digital competitors, in the new-equipment market. Honestly, I wouldn't buy any of them right now. If I was brand new to recording, and/or had my back against the wall, I'd probably just hit the 2488 and get on with life. Think of all the table space I'd save!!
NOW,... onto more realistic choices,... USED GEAR. Let's call it "legacy" gear!
The Yamaha MD8 I like very much, and I think is a fabulously loaded and well thought out porta. It has the analog front end mixer that's identical to the Tascam 488mkII, plus it records 8-simul with Direct mode, to Data-Minidisc. The hullabaloo about ATRAC data reduction encoding does not bother me, and I don't think you can "hear" it. I have the MD8, I like it very much, and I'd highly recommend it.
I like the Fostex FD-8 very much, with built-in hard disc. At least it has a fine analog front end, and records 16/44.1, but it hard-limits you to 2-simul/max recording, a pretty severe limitation. However, with a little fidgeting around, it will record 4-simul with analog+S/Pdif inputs, and a full 8-simul with ADAT I/O compatible outboard mixer. AT LEAST Fostex gave you that option!!! The FD-8 also has S/Pdif & optical output digital mixdown,... if it's anything to'ya. I have the FD-8, and I'd recommend it.
I like
the Fostex DMT-8, very much, as it has a great analog front end mixer, and it will record 4-simul, right out of the box. It also has that bright flouro-luminescent display, when the others have LCDs. However, you must consider the DMT-8's original hard disc was very small, and would require an upgrade. After that consideration, you'd be fine. There's no direct-digital out, but there's a SCSI port, for backing up to DAT or cartridge HD. There's also ample analog Track-Outs, which is a very handy feature that the others don't have. I don't have a DMT-8, but I'd consider getting one. After the special considerations that I've mentioned above, I'd recommend it as a well thought out and highly capable unit. (NOT THE -VL!!)
In (legacy) digital 4-trackers, it's very hard to beat the Tascam 564 MD Portastudio. It has the best analog front end mixer in the digital 4-tracker field, that's identical to the mixer section of the analog 464. It records 2-simul in Buss mode and 4-simul in Direct mode. ATRAC's not an issue to me, but YMMV. It has S/Pdif digital output for mixdown, if you're into that sorta thing. It has a bright LED VU meter display, as well as a cute little LCD funtion menu, that co-exist on the same panel. The 564's a helluva nice unit, in the field of digital 4-trackers, and it's a genuine Portastudio.
Last, but not least, is the Fostex FD-4. It basically has all the form and function of the FD-8, 'cept it's much harder to find with built-in hard disc, and most often sports an external SCSI disc, such as a SYQUEST or a ZIP disc. That's a drawback, but not a deal-breaker for me. Fostex used to do the FD-4 internal disc upgrade, but they don't do that any more. I've looked into doing this myself, but it's very hard to find the proper 1mm/50-pin header connector. The rest would be easy, if I could only find that darned connector! The FD-4 also limits to 2-simul record, but will go up to 4-simul if you use a combination of the analog and S/Pdif inputs, and it records at 16/44.1. The FD-4's mixer section is not as high end as a Tascam (564), but it's adequate enough. Fostex was never too shy about cutting corners, where Tascam would usually put the high end quality into their designs,... for the most part. I have and recommend the FD-4, FWIW. It's a nice sounding and capable unit.
I think that wraps up my picks on digital.
Thanx for asking. Any other questions, just let me know. I'm full of opinions!!
I also put my money where my mouth is.
