As a singer/songwriter and composer I learned troughout all the years, A good recording device is a must... From day one, I always worked with a tape machine, specially to caputure pieces of music who were recently wroten, or a band performance, where you still can enjoy the atmosphere from it. A good quality of the machine makes it more exciting either.
The Tascam DR40X is a great upgrade, with great features, like the abilty to connext XLR based equipment and microphones. A musthave for the traveling singer/songwriter who writes and plays in the field, where it all happens. This machine is a great tralleling companion.