You can get scads of information on the Roland recorders via the Roland site and chat groups.
Suggest you RENT ONE for 90 days; if you like it, then you can shop via the 800 numbers for the best deal. Full Compass offers about the lowest prices from my research.
Also, check out Junior Colleges in your area; many offer a sequencing course in electronic music and they use Roland products. Tuition at a Junior College is easy especially if you're a resident.
I currently use a Yamaha MD-8 track in my home studio; but I've got a yearning for that 20 bit less compressed audio which is available on a Roland. Hope this helps.
