Elektron Musical Instruments

I never liked anything I've heard from TC. I think they're not 
compatible with my ears. :) So I won't go the TC route, and I was 
already set in getting a good quality piece. 

I've been reading more about this and I think that what I'm really 
needing is a pre amp/eq front end rather than a compressor. What I want 
are some tone shaping capabilities. Something that can push the highs 
in a sweet and pleasent way and give some more fullness to the bottom 
end.  

Ideally there should be a stereo pre/eq combo that would actually sound 
really good and would cost under 1k... but I know probably I'm asking 
too much.

Also, are any of you recording the MD through a pre/eq front end or do 
you just go directly to the soundcard?