my only comment is, yeah, budget is great, but if i'm going to have my own personal mix room that i equip and try to sell to people, then i'm going to do everything i can to ensure it is as sonically awesome as i can make it.
60 bucks for a high quality pot seemed a no brainer considering it directly relates to what i hear out of the speakers.
i'm getting ready to have every channel on the amek modded heavily so i can keep all the automation and recall power of the desk, yet have it sound as awesome as the 2mix sounds now.
if it takes me 5 years to have the whole thing modded, then so be it.