Analogue desk for about USD$20k

[Marc Edwards]

A little off topic for DUC, but here's our problem anyway. We're in need of a great sounding analogue desk. Our requirements are:

• Great sounding, flexable EQ (think warm and fat... not surgical or accurate)
• 44+ channels
• I don't care about the pre's -- we only track overdubs, and we have outboard for this
• Don't need lots of busses (8 or 16 would be fine)
• Mute automation would be great, but not essential, as with any other automation.
• Could be new or 2nd hand, but hopefully nothing too old (I don't want to be repairing every other week!)
• It's for mixing

I was thinking of an Amek Big, but I've heard quite a few negative things about the EQ. Another option is an Oram series 24 -- I love the sound of John's outboard, but this is more $$. Other Amex boards spring to mind. Am I missing anything here?

I'd love to hear opinions on what _not_ to buy too

Thanks in advance, Marc.