Budget consoles

Hey guys,

I have a Toft ATB24 (I know) console that I got pretty cheap. It's a v3.0 and it works, but as you all know this isn't exactly a perfect piece of gear.. noise, headroom, smearing of frequencies etc.

My desire it to have a desk mainly for mixing through. So low noise, good summing, good eq and a nice "sound" would be nice. It does not have to be super-clean, as I like gear with some attitude and gritty character. Probably not too easy to get in a budget console.

I got a couple of other options locally that I could trade for.. but I am uncertain what would yield the best results.

First.. I could get the master of my ATB modded by Jim Williams, as I hear the remedies quite a lot of the sound issues with the board.

There is also a DDA D series console for sale nearby for around 800$ that seems nice.

Also there is a 16 track Chilton CM2 available here, but it's around 2250$.. which is doable, but maybe pricewise close to the max of what I would be able to go for.

So basically.. anyone with experience with these desks, which one would you use for mixing? Does the ATB really become viable with the master mod, comparable to other good desks and usable for mixing?

Thanks:)