Preamp Chain question

[fris9]

I see there have been a few threads on this lately, but i didn't really see my particular question addressed, at least withouth 5 completely different points of view. : )

here goes:

Vocally, I'm running a Rode NTK condenser to a UA610 Tube pre, then to a Firewire 1814 interface (into pro tools). Couple a questions-

Is the lesser quality preamp in the final stage of the chain (the 1814) "coloring" the signal coming from the pre? If so, what to do?

Second, does it matter whether the out from the UA preamp to the 1814 is an XLR (there are 2 XLR's on the front of the 1814) or whether I go into one of the 1/4 ins on the back?

Thanks

 

[fris9]

ok...let me amend this because I think I figured some of it out. Only......It appears that to bypass the preamp in the 1814 interface, I need to use the line inputs on the interface. The output on the UA pre is XLR, so I need an XLR to 1/4 cable to connect to the line ins on the interface? Or does it really even f'ing matter if I bypass the pre's on the interface as long as the signal doesn't clip?