A d8b under 2 grand is a sweet deal!
Make sure and get the Apogee clock card for the d8b - makes a word of difference. If you use a hard disc recorder, things will sound better if you use an extenal word clock (I use a Lucid GenX 6)
If you use ADAT's you will need a box like the JL Cooper DataSyncII to allow the transport controls on the d8b control your ADAT's
Don't get ADAT's. Media costs will kill you. If you figure what you spend on tape vs hard drives, the ADAT is more expensive in the long run even if you get them for free.
I switched from ADAT's to a hard disc recorder and I haven't regretted it ever.
On hard disc recorders:
I've never heard a bad word spoken about RADAR (other than they cost a pretty penny) and I've heard many many good things about the RADAR's converters/sound/and reliability.
The Tascam 2424 is a very good, stable unit. It's major downside, in my opinion, is that you have to have an external computer for the GUI to work.
The Mackie HDR works well. Mackie has fixed the software problems and hard disc limitation problems nicely. I know this to be true because I have owned one for a couple years and I am (now - after problems being addressed) quite happy with it.
The Alesis hard disk unit unit, the Mackie MDR, and Mackie SDR all work okay but none of them have GUI editing capabilities. They are basically ADAT replacement decks.
If I I was buying today and I had the money, I'd buy a RADAR.
If I was buying today and was on a budget, I'd get the Machie HDR.
Just my .02 yen.