NB4R, AF6D - Hi Ruben. The name on this end is Bob. Thank you for an excellent update on your 7000. You have given me reason to consider purchasing it. Of course I'm interested in what they're going to come out with next and maybe they learn some lessons on the 8000. But as you mentioned every time somebody comes out with new code it's like getting a new radio. That means the 7000 certainly isn't dead. The only real reason for wanting the 8000 was that it was variable 200-500 w.
Like you, I'm a computer professional. I own a web hosting company and have had well over 100 something *NIX servers. I'm a Linux guy and SunSDR2 Pro is said to be killer on the Anan. It runs on Linux or Windows. Of course I would run it on Linux. I may actually set up a PC as a dual boot just so I have the option of trying it both ways. There's more software available for Windows but I don't want the hassles with Hardware that Windows 10 bring. I'm an experienced Windows guy as well and have worked in computer integration, Sales and Repair. My main thing however has been since 1981 I have been a freelance and Commercial programmer. I prefer to deal with the 1's and the 0's.
Due to health issues I'm told I've got ten or fifteen years left. That's just about enough time to ride out this next sun cycle. I want to do it in style. I'd like a simple shack with a main SDR transceiver in the 7610 as a backup. I've already got the SteppIR and the legal limit amp. I believe however that with a good receiver and antenna, power is not so much the issue. If one can work it on 100 w then that's my goal. I am however realistic that there are times when you need to run some power. I'd be lying and dying if I said I never ran power. LOL.
Like you I'm concerned with a PC regardless of the OS mounted inside the rig. The question immediately comes to my mind, what if it fails? Am I going to have to troubleshoot the RAM? Am I going to have to replace the power supply? As I'm sure you know a Linux computer requires less overhead to run which gives it more horsepower to run applications. I've been building high-power high-reliability servers for years. I have no problem building the same thing with a dual processor XEON Linux rackmount PC to go along with the black 7000. I do like that in Black! With either a 24in or a 32in LCD monitor. I have it all planned out.
Next to that on the other side would be rack mounted audio hardware to make it capable of going to 6 KHz audio. I plan on installing an m audio sound card and a RE20 microphone. I have a lot of experience with computer sound cards of that quality. I'm not normally into ESSB but having the ability is what I want. For DX I'm sure you know you want narrowband audio. Most people don't realize it when they try to enhance the bass on their audio signal they're sucking power out of the amplifier because it takes three times as much amplifier power to hit the bass audio frequencies as it does the mids and the highs. We want 300-3000 on the audio.
Up until now my mentor has been Steve K1GMM who has a YouTube channel and a website.
https://kc1egu.wixsite.com/essb-ham-radio He's extremely knowledgeable on the Anan and the software to use with them. His YouTube videos are very informative as he tries one combination after another after another. I swear, the guy doesn't sleep. But I'm certainly willing to learn from anyone that'll give me the time of day. I know that getting into it is a bit of effort but you can teach an old ham new tricks.

Thank you for your encouraging words in your personal description of your operation of the 7000. You were dialed right in on my frequency so to speak and gave me the feedback I was looking for. Although none of us will probably know why the 8000 was pulled so quickly, knowing that the 7000 uses the same receiver and I know that the receiver in the antenna or the heart of a system is good enough for me to drop back to the 7000. As long as I'm comfortable that I'm not stepping back into obsolescence I'm more than happy. Your statement that every time one of the volunteer coders comes back with a new software update it's like getting a new radio, and that sold me.
Thank you very much for your targeted feedback.
73 de AF6D