Thanks, man, for your blow-by-blow analysis of this topic.
Having looked into that further, I've also come to the conclusion that cards would fit what I want to achieve better. The CMC-25 which you recommended sounds like a great mic, but I'm worried about its very low SPL numbers. Without any modifications it just provides 105dB of SPL -- too low for such a price point. With extra power options the SPL will be extended to 117dB/130dB. I'm assuming that the battery box option offers 117dB which is, apparently, still worrisome. Of course, I'm quoting these numbers from SP's page for the mic -- http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-CMC-25
Is this a valid concern? For the record, I don't have those SPL numbers for CMC-8 as SP doesn't display them, but the SPL numbers for the cheaper CMC-2 is head and shoulders above those of the CMC-25.
It's worth mentioning (and perhaps I should've mentioned it earlier) that I do have the USBPre2 which can provide phantom power to any of these mic configurations. I can take it to any venue if required though I've always preferred to move around as gear-light as possible. So would I still need a battery box, or a Tinybox for that matter, if I cary the USBPre2 along with its light USB battery bank?
I've never had an issue with the max SPL of the CMC-25, though would not (anymore) go to a show where I'd expect that was really going to be a factor. I've done some loud ones with the battery box with no issue.
There may still be on DIME the first show I ever ran on my set: Bjork at the NY Hall of Science. There were some truly loud moments (with the electronic effects and tesla coil) and it was just fine. Done from the second row. One of our NY peeps here (I think Dan?) recorded on DPA's also second row. I'm not sure if it was the same night but may have been. It's not a true A-B but certainly close enough to get an idea. I liked the CMC-25s, though both seem to be regarded as the best recordings of that tour.
We also ran Crazy Horse at an arena which was quite loud, but we were fairly far back (the optimized for video seats). No problems there, though that was with the Tinybox.
The SP's don't require phantom. Just plug-in power levels. I'm not sure they can use phantom. The DPA's require more than plug in but are also not phantom (at least as far as I know).
Following along in the thread if you do record front row at large, loud amplified shows omnis may work for you if that is your preference. Front row can be tricky since with PA's that is sort of no-man's land. You're not really getting the PA directly, you've got monitors and stage sound, but at least you don't have as much crowd in the field. A wider pattern may help get the balance that is not exactly a sure thing in that position.
I use cards stage lip at unamplified shows (that is my typical setup). I like the directionality and avoiding as much as possible the inevitable noises from the crowd. It's not a textbook application but having done a lot of them I'd never do anything else given the option. Those can have really loud transients (2 to 3 feet from a drum kit being thoroughly thrashed can be thunderous) but I've never had an issue with the SP's when I've used them that way either.