Mike Rivers wrote:

Remember that this doesn't have to be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
Like cellular phones, digital cameras, or laptop computer, you'll only
find out about the stuff that seems really stupid to you after you
live with one for a while. One approach that's pretty good for
starters is to get something that you think will be fine for now, and
plan to outgrow it (and budget for that).

Very wise statement:
It won't be the last recording device in my life anyway.
I need something to get started now to find out what the
future requirements will be.

Looks like the Tascam 2488 could become a trouble maker,
as discussed in another thread in this newsgroup and on
the Tascam forum.

Concerning the Roland VS 2000 CD and also the VS 2400 CD:
Guess I have to read the specs and data sheets very precisely
to find out incompatibilities in terms of export formats.
For exporting stuff prior to the mastering, it perhaps
prefers to write Roland specific formats rather than normal
..WAV or .AIFF tracks.

But I will find out, if necessary by calling Roland.

Tony