OK, it’s not just “give me a few more channels”. Once you get beyond 16 or so channels, you WILL want groups (with the ability to apply EQ, compression, FX per the bus) and the accompanying Matrices to take FULL advantage of the increased channel count. These are just a few of the considerations involved in the larger picture. So the real world bottom line is an upgrade from the -16 to ANY of the other Qu’s.
I use a -16 and happily so. If I “moved up”, I’d get a Qu-pac and keep the -16 for my back-up console. Then I’d log back on here lobbying for “Qu-pac as stage box” functionality…