Here's my current shopping list:

Phonic Firefly 808 Universal (Check out Craig Anderton's review on this thing on Harmony Central)
Akai EIE Pro
Presonus 44 VSL or higher channel count
Focusrite 8i6 or higher channel count (missed the deal by 1/2 hour!)
Avid Fast Track ultra 8R
Avid Fast Track C600
Anything MOTU Hybrid

Main thing to notice here is I'm looking for 4+ channels of analog inputs, assignable/controllable, USB 2.0 spec.

I've never actually recorded 4+ channels at a time - but I've gotten used to having the high channel counts with the TASCAM - when it works, for rehearsing (like using a mixer basically) with backing tracks from my phone or mp3 player, with keys at the ready or my Zoom G5 guitar effects at the ready.

Yes, I could use a mixer for this, but I like the direct connect aspect without having to go through a mixer. I like to keep as few things with power supplies in the signal chain as possible.

My Songs, photos, writing,etc.
My Sound Cloud