I have heard & loved the GT Vipre 3 or 4 times..tracked bassamp, guitaramps, BD (sick!), room-mics (sicker!!) and vocals (si..holiiidojswkxkx******) with it.
it´s got so much control/interaction with the mic, that´s what stood out for me..
(impedance & rise time really DO make a difference on that one)
it´s not a channelstrip type with EQ/comp/limit etc. thrown in for free (that you prob. won´t like) but actually give´s you options & control over the PRE itself
you gotta try one at least!
if you like your bro´s TAB, maybe try a well-racked (oliver?) old V76 !!
never heard the Fearn , sorry ....go try it!
if you got the $$$ maybe look into the InwardConnection stuff!
you could get a 8-slot desk with 2 pres and add EQ´s/comps later... worth checking out
(never actually heard one & its out of my price-range, but that´s a piece I´m really curious about!!! I love to get my hands on one someday)