Jules, Blur have the VTC console, which is in the $40,000 range.
The Tube Tracker is a small 8 track version based on the design on the VTC.
If the VTC had some automation, i would definitely want it...but TL Audio has told me that no automation works for it yet.
ProAudioDesign up in MA has a demo one you can go try out. In april i want to go thy that out and hopefully an Amek Media 51.
Back to the Tube Tracker, there is a review in a recent Sound-on-sound worth checking out. They said that the fan and lack of aux's kind of bring it's overall value down. But for 8 preamps, eq, and a small mixer, it's not a terrible value if you really need that sort of thing.