There are a hundred great pre's on the market, and they're all a little different from each other. Not alot different, but a little, though sometimes it's the 'little things' that make all the difference.

If you're sold on the 'Valvet', then I would recommend that you bring that mic, and if possible, the 'source' you are recording, and go 'mic-pre shopping'.

You may find one that couples very nicely with the Valvet and the 'source'...it may or may not be the 'Gas Cooker', only you will know for sure.

If you have loud sources like direct brass, or use it for a drum-mic, the Gascoocker gives a good micpre with nice tube characteristics, for soft sources, it lacks a bit of gain IMO.
I would use it for a "special sound" - not for HIFI Stereo M/S recordings.

...and you will certainly use it as your DI for bass

niko

The Gas Cooker is a great bass DI - I've never tried it on a mic. FWIW I've used it at Ridge Farm ( English studio) itself on a number of occasions and none of those guys ever suggested any other use for it. They also make a compressor called 'The Boiler' which is great for room sounds, does 'unsubtle' brilliantly.

I've just been "shopping" for pre's - tried just about everything, settled on the Forssell CS1. Not cheap, but it beats everything.
Fred Forssell is the person responsible for the design of the top end Millennia pre's as well.
Check out the spec at http://www.forsselltech.com