Hi. I currently have a Soundcraft M8 but am moving into a much smaller room. I would like to get a much smaller mixer without downgrading in audio quality if possible. My main priority is extremely low noise/hiss, 4 mono channels and 2 stereo channels. I will mainly be using the mixer as my monitor control and for setting up zero latency for a couple of mic pres.
I have seen 2 mixers by Soundcraft -

Compact 10 http://www.soundcraft.com/product_sheet.asp?product_id=121

EPM 6 http://www.soundcraft.com/product_sheet.asp?product_id=136

Tapco

Mix 120 http://www.tapcoworld.com/products/mixseries/index.html

Yamaha

MG 10/2 http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction...0/2&context=WEB

Which would you recommend as having the cleanest audio quality out of these? I would like to keep the budget to $150 if possible. Would these mixers be noisier than my M8?

Just an opinion, so take it as such....

You may wish to consider looking at a used yet more upscale board, for the very simple reason that the products you mentioned have built in limitations in quality and function. I would recommend looking at something that has more channels and some decent mic pres...yes, it might take up a little more space, but the return in quality and flexibility would pay off the 1st time you used it...

Some things to consider would be (these just popped into my head while reading your post) are:
- Ashly MX508 mixer (killer pres, very flexible rackmountable)
- Ramsa SR820
- Sony version of the Ramsa

If I may ask - how are you monitoring; ASIO or pre-conversion?