The 002 has line inputs and insert sends and returns on the mic pres doesn't it?

Plug your outboard pre's into Lines 5-8. They don't have the 002's pre's on it

There are times when pre-amp into pre-amp has some benefits.

for characture of sound or effect

but
where a great deal of gain is required it is possible to get good results from two pre-amps.

In a round about way this is what is happening when you use an FET style DI box into a Mic-pre.

Some Mics come with a power supply .. like the Rode Classic and this has some pre-amp circuit inside and gives a little gain and a little impedance matching.

I don't know the Mic-pres on the 002 as I haven't had the lid off one yet. It is very possible these are robust enough to handle a line level and with some experimentation you may find some Pre-amps and sources that suite this config.

experiment and test
when you run out of inputs on the rear panel you will know how you can make use of the inputs on the front.

Kev wrote: There are times when pre-amp into pre-amp has some benefits.

for characture of sound or effect

but
where a great deal of gain is required it is possible to get good results from two pre-amps.

In a round about way this is what is happening when you use an FET style DI box into a Mic-pre.

Some Mics come with a power supply .. like the Rode Classic and this has some pre-amp circuit inside and gives a little gain and a little impedance matching.

I don't know the Mic-pres on the 002 as I haven't had the lid off one yet. It is very possible these are robust enough to handle a line level and with some experimentation you may find some Pre-amps and sources that suite this config.

experiment and test
when you run out of inputs on the rear panel you will know how you can make use of the inputs on the front.

Thanks for the reply Kev. What I've wondered is if a lesser grade pre amp will take away the warmth and clarity of a nicer pre amp. I guess it comes down to experimenting. Thanks!

Double pre=amping can net you some interesting distortion. I think the Digi 002 is based on a fairly cheap opamp (under a dollar) so it will give you a pretty squeeky distortion which might be cool if that's the thing you like.

Chris