i don't use an 8000, i have an orionx. it's quite a bit better than the soundcraft ghost i had previously, and i infer better than soundtracs as well. they are clean and neutral boards, so it's less about color. totally usable pre's. the eq is a little sterile, but works. the routing and layout is totally cool. if you haven't been to recordingconsoles.net, you should get there as well for further input. if you can get it at a good price you are set. they seem to be less visable here in the states than oversees, but i am happy with mine.
A couple of us on the board have D&R's; mine is a Cinemix, and I've been very happy with it over all. In about 8 years day in and day out, i've only lost maybe 2 days to console problems (and one of those was a PS - I should have had (and now DO have a spare PS).