[trashman]

The Midas Venice is indeed a great mixer/summing solution. I picked up a Venice 320 primarily for the EQ, which was reputed to be great - and it is great!! What was striking is the summing quality. I still had my 16 channel *api 8200 system in place and had just sold my xtramix csi version 5 and ssl mynx summing. With the api 2500 on the venice mix bus my mixes were better than with the 8200, xtramix and ssl. *

I attribute this to the channel count, eq, filters and excellent overall sonics.

In terms of super mini setup that meets all of your stated needs: ssl mynx with 4 channel card.

You stated:
3/4 Tracks - no preamps needed (good preamps get connected before) with Level faders/potis
1 Aux Send, Stereo Return bus (for effects, need to be routed to headphone mix)
>=1 Direct Out(s) (minimal 1, usually 3/4)
1 Stereo Master Out
1 Headphone Out

You might, however, get more mileage out of something like the metric halo 2882.
EDIT: I meant ULN2!!!! But maybe not.... I think the SSL Mynx system is it.