Maybe I am wrong, but last I used one, the Anan radio software had some very good built in audio tools
like multi band compressors, noise gates, equalizers etc.
I don't think you even need a great microphone to sound great on those radio's.
Many great transmit tools including compressor, downward expander, CESSB, PureSignal APD, EER, CFC, tunable graphic EQ, phase scrambler for AM (aka phase rotator). It's a full rack of pro audio processing in the software.
My best guess is that there wasn't much demand for the 8000, at least in the U.S. Just my opinion, but 200W is kind of a dumb marketing power level. It requires much more current from the power supply, much beefier cooling, and for many of us, if we want 200W, then we'd rather just get to 500W, 1KW, or the legal limit from an external amp and reduce power from the transceiver. It probably makes more sense to have an 8000 in countries where licensed output power is very limited.
Paul, W9AC