i traded a coupla dx7s for a soundcraft mdl. 1600,a REAL mixer with REAL mic pres (not that mackie/behringer crap),which has made many records in it's lifetime.
o.k. it's old(fixed with new elertrolytics works like new now)and huge (no fix for that but at least crosstalk is low...)but it was meant to last a lifetime as true pro gear is and it sounds like big money.in fact, for about $1000 i have what would be a $40,000 board today.(it looks impressive to my customers too!)
i really only use it for mic pres and routing(integrated tt patchbay sidecar)as computer mixing is more efficient,but it's still a bargain.
the point is,be creative and try to avoid dogma.if you only need 1 or 2 mic pres,just get a good stereo pair and mix on the computer.if you need a bunch of mic pres then a mixer is a good idea as it gives a lot of bang for the buck.i'd choose an older RECORDING(not p.a.)mixer as the connetions will be more appropriate and the pres will be of a higher quality.(as good as mackie pres are,they are not as good as most recording mixers,regardless of what the ads say...)
just opinions.....