Ditto, one of our band members got an OS 8 string, with a pickup in it. It's loud, even unplugged. I have to keep telling her to stop whaling on it!
Uncle Elvis plays an 8 string, built by Moku, and he loves it. I'm sure it wasn't cheap.
My spouse plays a Kamaka 8 string, with a set of worth clears. It's loud!