I really appreciate this answer. Indeed, I can see the neverending gear acquisition getting in the way of making things. I just want to have good gear at the beginning, I don't want to put all my effort into something and think later, "I wish I had recorded this with better preamps." I also like the idea of having things always connected because it makes studio workflow more of a breeze, but at what cost, I see your point. I might want to live record a band in the future, but then again I may never do that. The most inputs I will definitely need to record simultaneously will be for 4 drum mics. Where should I look as far as, as you say, "a few very good inputs," instead of many decent inputs. Before reading your comment I was looking at the Apogee Element 88.