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any suggestions for a preamp?

I rely alot on my Pro VLA and love the way it sounds. It can be transparent with very light settings or you can add alittle color with heavier settings that move toward the "limiting" end of the spectrum. In my opinion the Pro VLA sounds fantastic and is a great bargain.

I've never used the Pro MPA pre but have friends that use the 2 channel version all the time and their tracks are impressive with it on acoustic guitar, vocals and electric guitar.

I have no experience with the ART EQ so can't comment there.

As a channel strip I wouldn't hesitate to buy one myself.

so Im assuming they must have cheaped out a bit on making this "3 in one" unit? Would I be better off getting the pro vla as well as the pro mpa?

Yup. The electronics in the Pro series are noticeably better.