I have some 8 channel preamps I use for multitrack recording. It's basically an 8 channel UA-5. Output is ADAT (aka Lightpipe) which looks like TOSLINK, but there is 8 channels worth of data.
The standard bit buckets are (a) an Alesis HD24, (b) some sort of computer interface that connects via USB or Firewire. I wonder if there is another option I've never found? I know JoeCo has one for thou$ands, I'm looking for cheap. I don't need another 24 or 32 track solution, 8 is enough, and 3 hours of recording is enough, and maybe even 16/44. Emphasis on cheap. I can't help but wonder if there was some device that came out during the ADAT Tape era, it was a total business failure, but it would do what I want, and I can maybe find one cheap?
Rationale: When I'm out at a standard taping gig (not multitracking) I use my R4, and normally I'm happy with 4 channels. Occasionally I think it would be cool to run 6 or 8 channels, like the guys with DR680's. But I'm not going to buy a 680, I'll either use the R4 or bring the big rig (which is really heavy, so I better park close by) and only use a few channels. I wish I could bring an 8 channel ADAT pre (which I already have), and run into some magical device, which could conceptually be as simple as a JB3. I don't think such a think ever existed, but I figured I would ask.