Smaller SSL mixers can they compare in quality to their bigger brothers ?

[smackmastering]

Love my X-Desk!

You ask about the inputs, first, the x-desk can only take in line level. No Mic Pres. As for the line inputs, the sound great. Tons of headroom.

The beauty for my set up is the ease of using outboard gear that I can insert in without any issue. The X-Desk also gives you 2 efx sends, for me Lexicon PCM70 on A and my old trusty Yamaha SPX90 on B. Plus you can put an insert on the master bus. It's a solid desk for the Hybrid user.

I should add, its a very clean sounding desk. Don't think its going to sound like a 4K desk.

You can do a lot with an X-Desk, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There's a lot of info on the X-Desk out on the web, I would take sometime and research online. Maybe download the manual just to see how it would fit with your configuration.

I'm a happy X-Desk user!

[Immersion]

maybe its just a an interface I want, and a daw controller. I just want to get the best inputs as possible and mic pres for the price.
The main unit I will use in my studio is the eventide H800FW

[TonyBelmont]

I have an X Desk and it's great for what it is... but, it doesn't have any preamps. And, I'm not convinced you would even want SSL preamps if you are looking for the best "mic pres for the price".

What price? And, how many channels do you need?

[Immersion]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I have an X Desk and it's great for what it is... but, it doesn't have any preamps. And, I'm not convinced you would even want SSL preamps if you are looking for the best "mic pres for the price".

What price? And, how many channels do you need?

that was news to me, I thought they had pre amps. So I guess SSL is not the best choice them, the what would you suggest ?

[smackmastering]

For me, I use Focusrite ISA mic pres in my home studio. I use a ISA 828 and a ISA one all the time. They may not be the most High End, but they sound good on everything.

Again, you'll get different opinions with mic pres. It really depends on what you want.