Roland made an 8 ch pre + AD/DA converter that outputs direct to RBUS, negating the need for a DIF-AT24. Unfortunately they're no longer sold new, rare on the secondhand market (I don't believe they were a popular seller), apparently not particularly amazing sounding and, if the last sale on VSP I can find is any indication ($650), still quite pricey.
For not much more you could have a Presonus Digimax FS and a DIFAT-24. I can vouch for the sound quality of this combination, a marked improvement over the VS pres. Plus the Presonus with its ADAT outputs would be useful in non-Roland VS/VM setups, unlike the ADA 7000.
SI-24s come up from time to time and seem to be reasonably priced considering they're a motorized fader control surface. The mic pres are the same as the usual VS2xx0 fare, very useable but not amazing, but the phantom power voltage they output is well under spec (I've heard as low as +15V) so they're perhaps not ideal for getting the best out of a quality condenser mic.
Cheers, Ben.
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Back to analog, gentlemen... Tascam 688, Teac A3440S, Teac 2A, Teac MB20, Akai X-160D, Teac A-350
Currently seeking - Teac 5A and 5EX mixer, Revox C270/C278 or Otari 5050-2 and 5050-8 track RTR decks - Please PM!
Digital stuff... Digi001, Mbox 2 Mini, Protools, Logic, iPad 3.