Good to know, james, thanks.  of course the price per pre comparison between the two is much higher on the daking, too.

Daking Mic PreOne => $745
Daking Mic Pre IV => $2195/4 = $548.75
True Systems Precision 8 => $2595/8 = $324.38

Zip - the GTQ2 is unreal and the EQ is very musical - you don't get a sweeping EQ...there are 3 set points (400, 1.6 and 3.2k) in the mid-range that you can select with a toggle switch...but these three do most of the heavy lifting and you can touch up with other plugs or hardware EQ's.  Not suprising, it sounds much better than anything that I do with the UAD stuff (I have the full compliment of UAD EQ's...my favorite being the 1081).  The 12k shelf on the GTQ2 is just superb...I don't have a plug that can replicate that...not even close.
 
As far as comparing...I find that the 5012 in 'silk' mode sounds similar to the GTQ2, but the GTQ2 just seems to have more meat on the low end and then you add the EQ capabilities and then it's not even close.  I like to drive the input hard...it just really opens it up...  The 5012 is a great pre, but there's a reason this thing is $1k more. :)
 
That said, I think you'll find that if you go with the GTQ2, you won't really use the 5012 much, if any.  If you like the 5012 a lot - then I'd keep it and go a different direction with a mic-pre...something that gives you a little different flavor/vibe?

I posted a sample I threw together in about 10 minutes using nothing but Neumann KM-184's and the GTQ2 for another thread where someone was asking about the 184's - but here's a link to the tune.

I've obviously got a little verb and I'm using my Cranesong Trakker as an external insert on the VOX and the Portico 5043 compressor and the UAD Fatso Sr. on the 2-buss.

The only EQ on any of the 3 tracks is the GTQ2.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=766276&songID=8258122

Thank Zipp - if I had a better room I'd be dangerous. :)  I've got some treatment in my room, but it's definitely not even close to where I'd like it to be, so my mix down suffers because of it.  I typically use my JBL's and my headphones (Grado RS-1's) to get close then listen to the .wav on my PC speakers (Klipsch's with a sub) to get something 'usable'.

For me, the biggest improvement to my chain has been the GTQ2 and my UA 2192.  There's a lot of threads on whether or not an AD/DA unit like this makes THAT much difference - but to me, there's no question it did.  A box like the UA gets you as close as possible to that 'console' sound when your tracking/mixing in the box. 

Granted, that's not a cheap chain (~$5500), but if you want pro results it sure does make it a lot easier (hence, the 10 minute 'throw something together').  With gear like that, the amount of 'tweaking' you have to with EQ, etc... is very minimal. 

Appreciate the kind words...I'm sure if you decide to get a GTQ2, you won't be dissapointed.  Unfortunately, they are really hard to find used these days and brand new I think they are $2799.

haha - well, too bad you aren't closer...you'd be welcome to come use it any time. :)

I'm considering selling my Portico 5043 compressor and my CraneSong Trakker mono compressor to fund purchasing one of Geoff's GTC2's.  It's a dual mono/stereo box that can do LA-2A or 1176 or a bunch of stuff in between.  I believe it's about the same price as the GTQ2.

UA 710 twinfinity preamp - eBay (item 180630941827 end time Feb-26-11 19:30:39 PST) , this is my once used 710 up for sale. It was warm, punchy, and it hit all the right pockets, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I'm drooling over the lamk2 610s now, so this is up for sale. if you have interest, message me, and I can call it at 650 through buy it now.

Mike, all the GTQ stuff seems about $2600 - the 2 is the 2 preamps/EQ combo, right?  I know the single channel w/ the comp too is about the same price.

The Portico II, which is a complete strip too runs about $3000.  I'll vouch for it.  The Silk has two modes and a texture (amount) knob.  Trés cool.  We tested it against one of the better neve clones and we could just about replicate the tone on electic guitar.  Plus a whole lot of other tones.  Lots of fun with that knob ;-)

@

I love the Auteur by Black Lion Audio. Great design and has a BIG yet Glassy sound to it. There are clips on my website with it against a Great River and a FMR RNP.