Still do not know what exactly are you looking for in the gear question?
Gear that entices clients or other engineers?
Remember most people here are gearslutz
, Clients like pretty shiny things or a vibe or previous work. AND price especially if there paying.
Engineers like what they like, some guys have to have a real desk, some do not work on DAW's if they do not have to. Some guys like RADAR and Hate Pro Tools etc etc.
Your recording medium has a lot to do with it to start with.
Certain bits of gear we have used before and liked we'll look for again. Could just be you started out using x console as that was what they had in the studio you started in. You are now used to it and look for studios with the same console..
With the two studios if all was equal including price and people.
Gear will make a diff for AE's, although how much of it will be the decider. There will always be something you want as a AE.