I occasionally, just for grins and a bit of a reality check, I'll listen again to some of the lowest-end gear I still have knocking around, and am usually pleasantly surprised at how good much of it sounds.
For example, the M-Audio MobilePre MkII; I don't know about the A/D part of it because it's never worked right, but I added a direct-out from the mic preamps, and it actually sounds pretty decent; the HP amp, too. It's extremely lightweight and will run off a 5v USB batt.
Also, the preamps (four of them!) in the little, plastic Spirit Folio Notepad sound much better than most people would expect from such a 'value' product; good design doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.
Not worth your time
"
The common ASSumption is that multiple preamp designers cut corners that affect performance. In fact there are significant cost savings from using a common chassis, common power supply, and buying components by the truckload.
