I'm pretty darn sure NOBODY has declared this the "finest mixer out there" (well, beyond Mackie's marketing moments)
It's certainly the finest 16 channel mixer I've ever worked with, but I'd probably state that differently if I'd used the Soundcraft Expression 1 instead of the Expression3 I've worked with
And while I'm envious of the new kids on the block (QSC & Bhoringer) I'm not currently in the market, and I'm at peace with the limitations of the DL1608. No multi-track recording? That's fine, I have dozens of previous recordings from the Onyx Firewire days that I've never gone through. Someone wants a recording of the show, it's a board-mix recording, I can sync it up with your room mics later if you feel like paying me.
The new stuff they're introducing with "X32 2.0" is nifty, and I understand why people would choose something from that series (and would probably consider an X18 if I was in the market right now - but would likely go with the QSC option). I just got gifted a Behringer Ultra-CurevePro 8024 digital EQ and had a good time reading the manual this week - might even haul it out to the gig Saturday just to play with the RTA & see if I like the results.
But I'm still happy that my friend who was looking at the X32 went with the Soundcraft instead, I've already done some of the best live mixes of my life on that thing, and I don't have to tell my friends "but it's really a Midas" over & over...