i absolutly love my mini-mp with my 184s, I highly advice the Apogee purchase
Hey, +T on the SBM-1>PMD670 combo. You are the only other taper I know besides myself running that combo. It's nice having the control of the SBM-1 and being able to harness any input level due to no active electronics in the line input path, and then have the ergonomic ease of use with the 670 as a bit bucket. I love the big controls and large display of the Marantz. Then there is that margin reset, something I always loved about the DAP1.
On topic: I use a pair of Sound Devices MP-1s, their first ever product and the basis of the MP-2, because I love the way they match up with my 460s. Also, unlike every other SD preamp, including the MP-2, the MP-1 has Lundalh input transformers, but also custom Sound Devices output transformers, making the MP-1 the warmest sounding of all the SD preamps.
Having the mono-blocks eliminates all electronic cross talk between components ahead of the A/D, and also gives you fixed gain that once you dial in the right spot for your mics and recorder, you never have to change them from show to show. And, no outboard powering is required. 2 AAs in each will run them for 5+ hours, far longer than a Mixpre or MP-2.
YMMV, as always......