I know the UA topic may be overdone at this point, but I have a few questions regarding their equipment and your personal experience with UA gear. I don't have a lot of bucks but I'm looking for a mid to high-end mic preamp, with vintage sound and colour for about $1600. The Putnam designs have always excited me, and some of my favorite records were recorded with the 610 console. But my personal experience with UA products is lacking, and I'm left a bit skeptical. I'm interested in the LA-610 so I can have a decent compressor as well. So I have a just a few questions:

How does the modern 610 differ from the original 610 designs?

Most of my recordings will be many tracks overdubbed(I'd love to record live but I just don't have the resources yet), and I do enjoy saturated sounds, that of Pet Sounds and and Spector stuff, in this situation would the colour of the LA-610 be useful?

My band is also harmony group, how does this box do for vocals?

Is it possible to bypass the compressor on the LA-610?

Are there any other channel strips, that have a vintage vibe to them? If so how do the stand up to the UA products?

What are some major concerns or disadvantages of the LA-610?

I'm also not opposed to other brands and solid state like some, but I would like a good quality channel strip with warmth for a modest price. If any light could be shed on this subject, any advise at all, I would be greatly obliged.