Yes I agree. Apologies for this OT aside, but one of the philosophical problems I have with SD is that this type of thing carries through most of their lines. For instance, they never provide preamps on all the primary input channels. To record 6 phantom powered mics into a Mixpre 6 requires an outboard preamp for 2 of those channels, etc. The 744 four channel analog input recorder included only 2 preamp input channels, the 788 eight channel analog input recorder only 4. They make quality gear, but it always seems somewhat hobbled in this way by design.
The 788t does provide preamps on all 8 primary input channels. The 788t and the 788t-SSD are now both discontinued. The 788t-SSD was just recently discontinued by Sound Devices...
Analog inputs 1-4 on XLR connectors and
analog inputs 5-8 on TA3 connectors, are the primary connections into the recorder. These inputs accept balanced or unbalanced mic- or line-level inputs. Gain is controlled by the front panel Input Gain Pots.
The 788T has eight inputs and twelve record tracks. Inputs can be analog or digital sources.
Analog inputs 1 through 4 are on 3-pin XLR connectors; inputs 5 through 8 are on 3-pin TA3 connectors. Digital AES3 inputs 1-8 use the DE-15 (D-Sub) connector.
Phantom power (48 volts) can be activated individually, for each analog input on. Phantom power can be used for both mic- and line-level inputs. Enable or disable Phantom Power in the Input Settings Window using the Tone key to select 48V (phantom power for mic level only), 48VL (phantom power for mic- and line-level), or Off.