I think new they are around $2800 or so.
Up to $1600 would be a pretty fair price, considering it IS the MkII! Having the inserts means you can use JUST the eq section!
The studio I work out of sometimes has one. The preamp itself is a decent sounding ClassA design. It is a fairly focused type of sound, and would remind you of an API tonally (somewhat). It really isn't the type of pre that OPENS up the the sound, say like a Focusrite Red, or even a Dramer (both of which I have done direct comparisons with in the same studio). But, the pre is quite nice sounding, and provides more than enough gain for any mic's.
The eq. Hmmmmmmmmm....Well, this is some sweet sounding eq! This is the kind of eq you use to impart a certain magical something to the sound. It isn't surgical at all. It is quite BLUNT, but in a wonderful way.
At this studio, we often use the pre for kick and snare, using the eq a bit to get things closer to how we want it to sound. This eq works great for that! The high pass filter is quite nice too! It doesn't do crazy things to the overall sound, just filters out the low stuff.
The high shelf part of the eq is just plain nice! If you want some pazzaz in the sound, that is the knob that does it!
The mid range is musical and ear friendly in every way.
If you could get this unit for under $2k, I would say that it is well worth it! Price out how much other Class A preamps and eq's cost each, and considering you are getting two of each, it is a good price!
I have done some guitar recording using these pre's, and I really dug the sound. Again, the eq was nice to have available.
I did some extensive voice recordings with this unit, and really liked how it "focused" a rather poor singers tonality. Now, for some singers, I need a very different approach. I need to capture EVERYTHING about their voice, and the MWS really isn't that pre for that!
So, in a nutshell:
The preamp is overall very good, and worthy to be called "Class A discreet". But, it isn't going to rock your world for certain production approaches you might need.
The eq is NOT surgical at all, and don't plan on using this eq to fix a specific problem frequency. It IS a GREAT SOUNDING overall tonal shaping eq, with a very sweet high shelf filter, and a very invisible sounding high pass filter.
Good luck.
