The price on audio recorders is something very peculiar IMO. I know there are different manufacturer and different R&D groups with different marketing strategies, but how is it the R-44 is now over a grand and the R-88 is $2500. Compare this to the Marantz PMD-661 which goes for $500-600, which as been in that same range as long as I have known about this recorder. The fostex FR-2LE can't sell for $275 here in the yard sale but it's $600 at B&H.
Price is based on features, quailty, brand, etc
I don't know why Roland increased the price of the r-44
I don't know why Sound Devices increased their prices either
But with it's feature set the R-88 has it's a great deal - but IMO the tascam hs-p82 is a better buy at $1k more
This product is angled at film/production mid range