Well, Moresound, you would really need 2 RNC's, because the RNC is not a stereo compressor. It has 2 signal paths, but they use the same settings. What's good for the goose (left) has to be good for the gander (right). Also, the RNP/RNC combo lacks EQ, is a pain to rack, has no vu meters (the twinQ has nice usable ones, which can be set for pre or post). You get no digital out, and the RNC limits you to unbalanced connections. The Burr Brown op amps in the Joemeek and the RNP are very similar, except the twinQ gives you the transformer based option, which you don't get with the RNP . I also forgot to mention that RNP and RNC both have to be fed by wall warts- one more pain in the arse.
For the $130-or-so more the twinQ costs, I believe its additional features are more than worth it. In the end, though, it's not about features. None of them are worth a dollar if the preamp doesn't sound good. When I say that I sometimes use the twinQ in preference to an Avalon AD2022, that is saying *a lot*. I wish I could tell you more about the Focusrite unit I referenced above. All of the features you asked for are there, but it doesn't have fully adjustable attack on the compressor, and there is no digital output.
For my money, the twinQ does exactly what you asked for. It's good enough for critical applications, but doesn't break the bank quite like a pair of Pendulum Audio quartet II's. If you were a *real* audiophile, that's what you'd do. After all, who needs a wife, or a car? The pair is $10,500, with the pearl inlaid on-off switch. Used-$10,499.99-Richie
