i believe so

I have the older 828, you should be able to record 2 at a time, im using Logic Pro , and it'll show 1,2 3,4 5,6 7,8 9,10, and as far as a pre amp, i was told by a very good producer that i needed a pre amp, he was going to let me use his, as i was going to Florida to record an artist ( im here in CA) we'll i didnt take his offer his pre amp was way to exspensive for me to travel with, well when i came back for him to master he could believe the sound, i took my time mxing.
If i had the money i would get one, a really good one though, i wouldnt get a cheap one, so until then i'll just take my time mixing.

Rence