Good Console to save up for and buy Next year?

[illacov]

Im thinking that if Im able to save 100 dollars a month for a year from now and then put another 800 dollars on top of that at next tax return 2007 that Ill have 2000 bucks to spend on an analog mixer.

Currently, Ive got a Soundcraft Spirit Folio SX board, which is a 20 channel board and its got a nice sound to it, this so far has been based on mixdowns that were mixed and summed on Folio SX's. Ive not had the chance to use it as Im waiting for my new Ad/Da's in the mail - Phase 28s X 2 (16 channels).

I will be using the console for Mixing AND Summing. Now Ive already seen people say that the SX is not the greatest board, while others have stated that its a decent board.

HOWEVER,
what in your honest opinion would be a nice step up for 2000 dollars? Is this going to get me something worthwhile? Or should I stick with the Soundcraft board?

I would prefer to go with something nice and esoteric as a mixer, I know this probably wont get me a Trident, but it would be a nice board to have.

Here's the thing, Im trying to get totally in the groove of mixing and summing hip hop OTB. Where I live there is this huge surge of people doing Hip Hop ITB and so far all the music sounds either halfway decent or its not something you would put on cd and try to sell or demo out.

So far Ive heard two songs mixed in protools LE around my city (Horrible Bass response like non existent) and one album done in Samplitude 8 which had ok to B+ sound quality, but the vocals sounded very un professional so it brought the sound quality down to a C plus.

My claim to fame is two tiered. Im pretty well known where I live for being a musician of sorts and Ive actually made a nice bit of money off my album sales.
As an artist I still record and release material. However, I kind of have the same thing going as Bang does, I really have a GOOD connection with engineering and mastering.

I want to setup a mastering business for mainly online clients and some local or networked clientelle. But the thing is I would like to get my hands on a nice vintage or vintage like board. I've already gotten a deal presented to me to have a local studio offshoot their clients to me as their remix and Mastering engineer..so things are already falling into place. The only thing is its 2000 to MAYBE 3000 bucks tops Im willing to spend on the board, but I would like to get a nice unique sounding console, if at all possible. By Unique I mean in a GOOD way, not uniquely bad.

Any suggestions??

Peace
Illumination thumbsup

Any suggestions?

[illacov]

I went on Evil bay and there are some great deals on Ramsa boards.

Ive seen a Ramsa WR-T820B which is a 16 or 20 channel board going for 800 bucks.
Its a local pickup from Long Island, but I live in Syracuse New York, so I can drive down there for that sort of thing.

Its apparently a 20 channel board and a 16! bus mixer, plus it comes with the meter bridge, both of which are claimed to work. The only complain is scratches on the armrest.

Wow like i have one of those.

I could have sworn Ive seen good comments about Ramsa boards on Gearslutz.

Would this be a bad direction to go in?

Help me out here.

Bang did you ever use a Ramsa board before?

Peace
Illumination

[Bang]

Hey man, I'd wait up and hear one of the Trident boards from Toft or Oram before going to a ramsa board.