If your decks sync perfectly via 1/8" TRS, capn, then that's a great thing and I can't knock it. In my experience (and I believe acidjack even tried it with another R-44, Dan Lynch's) we could not ever get two of them to clock-sync via the 1/8" cable, it needed the S/PIDF. With all respect, we'll just have to agree to disagree on our findings.
To echo capn's sentiments, have fun rolling with the R-44, jb63, and please let us know what comes of it.