I did a side-by-side comparison with the 880ex and 890hd. Same input mixer, same output mixer, same source, everything exactly the same except for the 2 units. I could hear no difference. I gave it a number of tries with variations and still no change. Even a blindfold test, swapping cables, etc. Maybe there was a difference, but bottom line was that I couldn’t hear it. If I was going to edit in the unit, maybe there would be a difference in the final product, but I’m only interested in copying the tracks as they are recorded in the 880ex, into Cakewalk, using the spdif connections, and then editing in Cakewalk in the 24 bit realm. As far as getting 16 tracks, two 880’s, or 890’s, etc. can be hooked together with their MIDI connections, which doubles the tracks and effects. That is something that is really cool about the Roland units. If I was going to start as a beginner with some sort of unit like the Roland VS series, and wanted 16 tracks, I think I would get 2 used VS880EX’s and hook them together. You’d have 4 stereo or 8 mono effects and twice as many outputs, etc. and for only about $1000. I believe people are putting too much faith in all the bit and sampling rate hype. Check out the units that Roland has replaced the 880’s and 890’s with, the Boss BR-1180. They’ve come up with their own unique way of skirting around the bit issue by inventing their own name for it. Roland can be very sneaky when they feel it’s necessary. There have been some good sounding movie tracks done on the VS880 (18 bits). It’s not how many bits, but how you use them. Same with 48 versus 96 sampling rate. 48 has been used for quite a while with excellent results, but the gear companies need to make people believe otherwise to continue selling new stuff. Maybe if I had dog's hearing I could tell the difference, dunno. One other thing I didn’t like about the 890 is the EZ routing/recording function didn’t set up the scene like the 880ex. You have to start pushing this button and that button and stand on your head and push another button with your toe, etc. That’s just what I don’t want to have to do when I’m trying to record. I didn’t like the finish on the 890 either. It looks like it was sprayed with cheap flat black paint, and the detail in the panel lettering wasn’t as nice. It was like they knew it was a dying breed and they just wanted to pump out the last of them and dump them as fast as possible to make room for the Boss units. I guess the bottom line for me was the 890 just wasn’t going to give me improvements worth another $800. Anyway that’s my opinion. And the 880ex has the same backlit display as the 890.
I take it you at least spent some time in/near EPA? Nah, I live a quiet suburban life in west San Jose, near all the Saratoga and Los Gatos yuppy snobs. If I don't watch it, one day I'll grow up -- at this rate, questionable whether that'll happen before I grow old -- to be just like them! 
