Sure!
The 388 is an all-in-one Portastudio-format recorder/mixer package that's second to none in Porta-format units, (MO). The 388's mixer is topnotch, & is technically more on par with the Tascam 500 Series mixers, (M512/M520), which are high end mixers, indeed. The sonic punch you'll get on the 388's 1/4" reel recorder will be marginally less than that of the 1/2" 38, but for great features & all-in-one-ness, you really can't beat the 388, in that particular class of devices.
The 38 is a larger format, with twice the tape width and twice the tape speed, with like 4x the tape cost of the 388, but if you can afford the uplift, then the sonic quality of the 38 is definitely superior to the 388. The 38 also requires a separate mixer, which isn't really an issue, but a consideration. The 38 & separate mixer would be much bulkier and heavier than the 388, but I don't see that as a deal-breaker. It all depends on what level of sonic quality and features you're looking for.
The 38 is "more" all around, with higher fidelity and higher cost, not to mention larger size and weight.
The 388 is the pinnacle of achievement of the true Portastudio-format, in it's own right, although it's somewhat of a smaller scale of e'thing compared to the 38. The cost of 1/4" tape on 7" reels is about 1/4 of the cost of 1/2" tape on 10.5" reels.
Sometimes you want a compact "portable" solution with great features and great sound quality, and that's when you need the 388. Other times you may want the most raw sonic power that you can muster on analog that's still relatively affordable, and that's when you need the 38.
For the record, although the 38 will outperform the 388 sonically to a noticeable degree, the 388 sounds quite good in it's own right. The 388's sound is good, not shabby at all, but the 38 edges it out sonically.
When I just started recording ('82), I hopped very quickly from the 244 cassette Portastudio to the 1/2" 38, ('83). There were many times over the following years that I longed instead to have a 1/4" format recorder, for the sake of cost savings and convenience, but I never regretted having the 1/2" 38 when it came to sound quality. Many years later, I scored my first 388, so now I have both. I absolutely love the 388 for being a truly unique unit, which is literally one of a kind. The 388 is well worth the street price you'll pay, and then some. The entire package, convenience and overall sound quality of the 388 kinda bridges the gap to a 38/mixer "system", but on pure sonics the 1/2" 38 is better.
It's a tough decision. Aw, heck,... get 'em both!
