Keef, would you consider getting a console that isn't necessarily a "selling point" console, i.e.; SSL, Neve, API,etc.?
I'm sure you could pick up a very nice, clean used console, such as older Soundcraft, Soundtracs, Trident, etc. for very little money, that would give you 48 or so inputs at mixdown so you could have some nice analog EQ's and summing(the key benefit, though I'm sure that many would debate that) for considerably less money.
Hell, you could even pick up a brand new Daking board for around $25K and those are supposedly wonderful sounding consoles. Use your DAW software for automation and use the EQ's and summing of the board.
That's what I'll be doing once my board is back assembled (sound workshop series 30).
Just an idea to think about..