I recored an album once many years ago on a Tascam 1" 16-track - I believe it was the ATR machine. It was a GREAT sounding project. I couldn't then, nor now, discern the difference between that recording and one done on a Studer or a Sony APR or an Otari - whatever...it sounded great; punchy, quiet and I remember thinking when I was mixing it sounded "glassy & punchy" at the same time.
To call a spade a spade - at the end of the day, digital just does NOT sound as nice as analogue, although it's getting mighty close. The problem these days is finding parts for these machines, and your production times ar going to be way slower than any competing DAW room, so unless you are building a studio for your own projects and private enjoyment, I'd avoid the analogue stuff (recorders) and go with a higher-end DAW set up..
That's just me - I am by no means in the loop as far as studios go, and I am definitely on the fringe, but the argument favoring dij over analog has come from people too who I work with and I really respect. But if you DO choose an analogue Tascam recorder - the one I used sounded fantastic, and if you can find one in really good condition (with logged hours and maintenence records, tech notes etc.,) buy it!
Good luck
