Have you asked over at Tascam's site?
They have a Webforumn.
I think the TSR8 will work with MIDI...and I'm pretty sure the 8 channel remote (the "148" I think) will work with the TSR8. I know it will control the transport on the DA-38's, and it's got what almost looks like a MIDI connection...whereas the BIG Autolocator uses a PC RS-232 type of connector.