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Warming up digital..Tube or not Tube?

further, It is impossible to try out a unit in the store. I know a couple of guys who are sho' nuff producers who really like API, and Neve and what not. They consider "cheap" for a mic preamp around $1000.00 And they seem pretty confident that under that pricepoint, you are not getting much. I am pretty uneducated about what's truly functional in my situation.

1. Light Pipe - Mic Pre's 2. Digital/Analog Monitoring

I have a Pro Tools MixPlus+++++ system and currently use my Yamaha 02R for the mic preamp's and monitoring via Digi's ADAT bridge. I would like to loose the 02R because it takes up too much space and is not a great choice for mic preamps . I do not feel it worthwhile to spent a bundle on separate and expensive mic preamps and Line level to Light pipe A/Ds. . .

OK, I'll go digital, advice needed to start

I am finally breaking down and going as digital as possible, which is funny because I have always hated digital (compared to hi-end analog). I have a mac g3 and am looking at a delta 1010, layla 24, or MOTU 828, 2408 etc. 8 channel i/o rack units. My question is: what do most people use for a decent mic preamp or turn around since all of these units have primarily 1/4" TRS connectors?

Digital or Analog compressor

I have some nice tracking compressors (1176, Summit) but am using an FMR for stereo 2-bus. Not that it is bad but I would like to step up a notch. I'm mix to a Masterlink and do my own mastering (this is not professional just for my own enjoyment). So would I be better off getting a good analog compressor like the solid state Avalon or Smart or something like a Waves Maximizer L2?