Yes, it depends. More inputs and/or outputs mean more money; less inputs and outs for the same price (usually) means higher quality. I got the Tascam and it has really great converters, I could hear some difference w/ my TC Konnekt 48. But the preamps really shine. Much better than the TC built-ins or any built-ins I've heard. I usually use RND Portico or Warm Audios here at home - the Tascams were as good, just different, which is saying something. They don't crap out and have enough gain and are very clean. The 7000 has all the limitations Craig talks about and no inserts or midi. But if you just want a stereo in/out and record acoustics, you are set to go.
But if you need more ins/outs, you aren't really missing out on too much quality. It is there, not so much in conversion (you really have to be finicky to spend $600 on converters - there ain't that much difference), but in the preamps. A good preamp is worth having, esp. one w/ transformers if all your others are IC. But again, not necessary if you don't stress the built-ins. I've heard/made plenty of nice sounding songs w/ a very basic interface. If you need 8 channels you can get one of many models for about the same price as the Tascam (or Forté or RME or Audient) and do drums until the cows come home. The room and the playing and the mics and arrangement will have a bigger impact on sound quality than conversion, or even preamps.
What is nice about the Audient and RME is you can add 8 channels via ADAT. So if you need more I/O you can add that in the future and still get the "premium" package today.
It just doesn't depend upon the money you want to spend anymore, it depends upon what you want to record. I went for the Tascam 'cause I don't use more than stereo, and if I do, I can use the TCK 48.