I guess the value of an SSL console input channel strip will just go down and down,
an alone module is not of much use if it's not racked.
And with time more modules will be available for sale as a lot of those consoles are not used any longer for mixing and it might be easier to decommissioning it by selling it's parts (modules) than to sell the complete console.
I think people rack the modules not because of the Mic preamp, but because of everything that it's on the strip. A nice Dynamics section with compressor and Gate/expander. Also a great parametric EQ and then High and Low Filters. Polarity
I'm also guilty of having racked a channel strip in the past that needed to be cut in order to fit a rack case, in this case it was an Amek Einstein channel strip, not in the same league as the SSL but it had some sentimental value for specific reasons.
Actually the first post ever I made in this forum was about that racking job that was inspired by ProHarmonic SSL racking photos, and this project was the reason to join groupdiy back then:
https://groupdiy.com/threads/racking-amek-einstein-project-completed.27689/
As far as I can see it, there will be so many SSL channel strips modules available in the future that I think it's much better that people rack and use them (even if the PCB needs to be cut), than the modules being sold for scrap or taken into a dumpster.
The number of large format consoles still being used for mixing is getting reduced each day.
By the way Kags, I love the Distorted sound of the 4000G Mic pre,
please try it mate, it's great on Bass, Snares, Room Mics, Kick Drum.
Just send some recorded tracks of those instruments through some channels on the board using the Mic input (Line Level into Mic Preamp), Lower the channel fader a lot and crank the gain, it's an amazing Fuzz/distorted sound, I love it and it' something I miss from that board.