I'm looking for something really compact. Most of the venues I go to search and have metal detectors, so I'm interested in equipment that will be easy to get through security. The smaller and easier to explain away, the better. Going undetected is probably the most important factor for me. Simplicity would be another great plus (especially at my recording stage now lol). Of course, its sound quality is important, too.
Thanks 
Your sig line has it, no? A wee bit more compact would be a small recorder (F3, VR, Deity, M10 type- With headphones plugged in for security to see), and without the pre or bodies. my experience is the active caps, custom cables and km100 bodies have been unseen by the detector. The F3, that is a big flag...headphones in place.
The best one, is the one that always pulls it off. 
Original post is from 2004. Yes, that is the rig she ended up with.
2004 versus 2026 is very different. There was an event in NY that changed things and a second series of events that changed things more. Between 9/11 and the proliferation of firearms venue security and the insurance companies upped their game. Case in point Madison Square Garden. On event days you could walk up to box office at 5pm unsearched and then wait and walk right in. Has anyone been to Madison Square Garden recently? When its not Phish or something similar getting in larger pieces of gear is as much luck as anything. Getting in the 3 flavors of rigs described as ideal stealth rigs you even need to me on your A game. From talking with a taper who knew her personally she had a concealed carry permit as a judge I believe and stealth meant fitting gear in her gun pouch. Now that would be examined. There were also minimal use of metal detectors and no weaponds scanners. They have evolved and so have we.
