I'm thinking in terms of a rig that's something like: mics>this pre>Microtrack2496.
Sure, it wouldn't be V3>SD722, or M148>standalone-way-hot-A/D>digital-stream-recorder-of-choice. But apparently the M148 is not easily obtainable, and perhaps twice the price if it is? I'd be interested in what else is available to reasonably play the role of the M148 - just a solid, nice, analog preamp stage. The RNP seems perhaps a good step up from say M-Audio mobile pre usb and the like. One of these plus a MT2496 would still be $500 less than a V3.
Why would the stepped gain be a nightmare? Sure, you might not utilize your last few dB of possible headroom, but that's better than trying to push the boundary and end up clipping. I'm prone to obsess on riding gain/levels, and get in trouble that way sometimes. With 6dB steps, you'd sort of be forced to 'set and forget,' which could end up a good thing
Plus their rationale for the stepped gain is becasue even good pots don't track that well. Good quality switched steps insure that your L/R are truly at the same gain, which means accurate stereo imaging in your recordings (well, as accurate as your mic setup).
It does look pretty thirsty for juice. My battery/remote powering knowledge is pretty sparse. Perhaps a decent lithium setup would handle, or would it need some big ol' SLA's?
This is all pretty much armchair pontification for me, but this thing strikes me as possibly
right in there. Peace,
Sanaka