Way back when, I wrote about the Fostex MR-8. It had great specs (uncompressed .wav recording, XLR inputs, 8 channels, runs of 6xAA batteries). However, as I said at the time, it doesn't have phantom power, and "it's possibly the ugliest, reddest, cheapest-looking piece of music gear I've ever seen". Today, Cam wrote to me to let me know about the Fostex MR-8 Mk II. It now has full 48v phantom power, better A/D converters, better software, and is no longer red. But it's still $249. Result! For $150 more, there's also the MR-8 HD, with a built-in 40gb hard drive which is white. Double result! (Thanks Cam)