I like Beck's depiction of being "digital ready"!
Here's the literal explanation:
(Post 1): I asked myself, "Should I 'go digital' with a new
DP-02/CF, 2488 or MR16HD?"
(Post 2 & 3): Then I answered to myself, "Too late, 'cause I already 'went digital' with
the Fostex FD4/FD8, Tascam 564, Yamaha MD8, Tascam Pocketstudio 5 and 788",... (so it's a moot point!)
(Post 4): You may find me in-studio & as happy as can be about being literally up to my a$$ in (more or less) 'vintage' analog gear, including
the Roland TR-606 Drumatix. (See above).
(Comment): I agree that units like
the DP-02CF are attractive little packages, but for the technical capability it lacks that puts me off the idea of buying one. The A/B-input-to-track architecture is a real deal killer for me, as it is for the likes of the 2488, MR16HD and anything like it, including the 788 which I bought before I knew it's full capabilities (reads: limitations). Likewise for the PS5, with a simple A/B-input-to-track architecture, no front end mixing capability & 2-simul limitation. Could you imagine an M-520 front-end to a Pocketstudio 5? No, me neither. An M-30 front-end to a 788 is a little more plausible, as our esteemed friend sloom has implemented on his own.

(Hint): [IMO], a Portastudio should be a fully functional self-contained unit. If you're required to hook an external mixer to the front end of any one of these units to regain a nominal set of input mixing capabilities, it's no longer that. (Or so goes my thinking on the subect!)

(Followup): Shedshrine's right in assuming why I need 8 of e'thing! (See above).
Thanx