I guess how digital sounds depends on the DAC's and circuitry in what it's played through. I remember checking out a bunch of digital recorders at guitar center in the late 90's and anything I could afford sounded like a cheap toy, but stuff I couldn't afford sounded fine. They're probably way better now. GC doesn't seem to stock recorders anymore, just software.
Looking for a recorder now, not for music production (I've got that) but something small just for practice and experimentation, as an add-on for the MPC. That's why I posted this but I didn't see anything I want with digital in's anyway.