I recently bought a Boss BR 1600 digital recording studio...

[east texas lib]

I still have a BR 900 which I like except for the fact that it only has 2 XLR inputs. The BR 1600
will do 8 XLR ins at once, which is the main reason I got it. I've had a few chances to use it now
and even though I'm familiar with the BR series there is a learning curve associated with this
machine.
I like: 8 XLR ins
Better EQ capability than the 900
Better track loop effects capability (Both set up and number of effects)
Good amp and speaker modeling
Good guitar and bass COSM effects
Onboard drum and bass patterns (though I don't use the bass patterns, I play bass) with
the capability to step write or real time your own.
Good vocal COSM tools

I hate: Fixed 80 GB memory with much of the memory space being taken up by the operating system
(The 900 writes data to flash cards so all of the OS stays on the machine)
Having to constantly manually save songs and any changes to songs or settings
(The 900 does this automatically and I have lost more than one song by forgetting that
1600 does not}
Much less track bouncing capability with the 1600 than the 900
Less line in audio sub-mix capability with the 1600
Some of my favorite guitar sounds on the 900 are not on the 1600

However, the 8 XLR ins at once is a BIG plus (say when recording drums)
All in all, I think I've got a pretty good tool for what I want to do.

Oh, at $1000.00 or so they ain't cheap. I've recently hooked up with an excellent drummer who is
very fired up about doing original material so I'll be putting that bad boy to good use soon.