I'm in the process of setting up a home studio, which should be finished by the summer. I plan to have a dedicated DAW to record with. I don't plan to use my computer, right now.
If you're not worried about the price, you could look at these DAWs:
Computer based:
Tascam FW-1884 (12track *I think*, DAW, 40GB hd)
Tascam US-2400 (24track controller board)
Dedicated:
Roland VS-2400CD (24track, cd burner built-in, 40gb)
Boss BR 1600CD (16track, cd burner built-in, 40gb *I think*)
These are the ones that I'm looking at now. I'm leaning toward the VS2400CD, because it does everything by itself, so I wouldn't need to buy/build a computer. This justifies, to me, spending the 2300 on it. The rest are below the 1500 range. The BR1600 is the cheapest...I think.
All that said, you could get a 10track recorder for about the same price as a computer. I'm looking more at the quality and features though.
If you want to cheap it out, you can get a Pro Tools Mbox for about 500 dollars. It includes the Pro Tools software with it. You'll still need a computer though....