Neve 8816 16/2 has 1 aux send per channel, all return thru a stereo pair either from patch to faders in, which eats up two channels, or ins mix return, which doesn't. If you add the 8804 you get 16 separate sends, no returns. The API 8200A 8/2 has 2 aux sends per channel, no returns. The Rane 8/2 has a stereo send and return - don't know about the quality, haven't heard it, but much less expensive than the other two.
i just remembered about that one tony and was on your site!
what's the wait on those? wasn't he doing an update of some sort to it?
Yes, they've been doing some changing around on the mixer (including adding a MONO button)... I don't think there is an actual ship date yet. Hopefully soon.