Gear is nowhere near important as technique. You can get pro mixes using solely free VSTs in a DAW and on mid-grade speakers just like you can with the highest quality outboard analog gear and mixed on a massive SSL console with the world's best monitors. There will be somewhat of a difference in character, but the same pro engineer doing the same things on both will still get a pro mix because of his experience and knowledge. Whereas, an inexperienced engineer will get poor mixes on either.
Another part of it, though, is the source material. If it was recorded very well, the mix is going to be A) a lot easier to mix and B) will sound better than if recorded with, for example, a bad mic, everything muffled (or too bright, no lows) and the levels were too hot and everything was clipping.
The best advice is to refine your skills. If you can get to the point where you're getting close to pro mixes on non-pro gear, then that's where you want to be. Only then will purchasing high end gear actually do something for you. Until then, high end gear is just going to make your bad mix sound a little different (not necessarily better), if you don't know how to use it. Pro gear is not a magic bullet. Great mixes are made by great engineers, not great gear.
So, with that in mind, do all the research you can and watch tutorials on Youtube and apply what you learn and when you're able to get great sounding mixes with what you have (and they translate well on other systems), then start thinking about upgrading your gear to give you a sonic edge.
Check out RecordingRevolution on Youtube. Watch every single video from the oldest to the newest. Graham has some very good tips for any skill level and he goes over a lot of focused approaches.
Also on Youtube you should check out Pensado's Place. After you've watched every single video in the RecordingRevolution channel.
Good luck, and have fun!
__________________
|