I like my Behringer mixer ( http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-X1832USB-Premium-18-Input-Compressors/dp/B0036E8DE2 ) Perhaps overkill for a nooby broadcaster such as myself, but dam me to hell if I dont think these Sandies sure look purty lol. Why I am drawn to them, I dont get it lol 🙂 
Groo
This is so totally a matter of personal taste.
For me; I LOVE the look and feel of the "real broadcast boards" (desks, as they are called). I once had an RCA turny-knob (3 inch knobs for faders.. mmmm) that came out of KZSU's ancient AM operation.. I LOVED that thing.. but it was sucking power like crazy. Now I run an older Mackie 1604 (not the VZ series.. older) because I like its look and feel. I would probably gravitate to the sandie as well.. that thing is purty.
The issue I am running into is that my mackie was not really built for 24/7 operation, and it gets REALLY hot. Hopefully, it will be ok 🙂
See if you can tuck a fan into your Mackie. Moving that air can really help.
good point. simple too 🙂