My console is a McCurdy custom broadcast console, with Beyer input transformers. I use it as a front end to pro tools, and it sounds very good...not great, but I've been very happy with it considering the other consoles in my price range at the time I bought it. The only other pre's I have are a Presonus Eureka, an Ampeg SVTMP, and 2 Crate...that's right...CRATE mic pre's. (They sound pretty good on some things!)
I had the chance to try some other pre's recently, and do some shootouts with them. I tried the M-Audio Tampa, the Sebatron Thorax, and the new ADK pre's with different input transformers..one a stock ADK, and the other a Lundhall. I've also gotten to try a Vintech stereo pre in the last few months.
It seems to me that the various mic pre combinations and choices have a tremendous effect on the overall outcome of a recording, given a fairly set group of instruments and mics. More that anything else, I seem to hear the "air" some quality pre's provide. The same overall frequency range may be there, but there's something open feeling, and not "constricted" sounding about say, the Vintech or the Sebatron. They're recording the same sources with the same mics, but all together it's a big part of what makes the sound.
Obviously, the player/source/tuning have the most impact, but I feel like the pre choices make a huge difference.
That being said, I'm ordering some SCA pre's in a few weeks..can't wait!