Any good mics should not need a preamp to change the EQ.
Similarly, any good preamp should have much less distortion than the mics.
I would just pick a decent preamp, V2/V3 or FP whatever and use that. Or the Littlebox (plain, without transformers). If you don't want to use a preamp, just use a PS2 to provide phantom power and run the mics directly into an Edirol or Sony flash recorder.
You could go with a (stock) all-in-one unit too, but the above may sound a bit better.
Really, I woul sd go with whateveruits your style and budget.
Richard