Using Spdif is the way to go.

[Squizzle]

Ive noticed a huge difference now that I am using the A/D card for my focus-rite track master pro platinum series, and my Rode NT1000D my baby)
S/pdif out from the pre amp to my M audio Audiophile 2496 s/pdif in, using a 64 bit OS windows 7 alienware and Cubase 5. Does anyone else have a similar setup that would agree, its debatable I presume whether analog is inferior to Digital. My buddy is still using an analog signal so I am curious to see who has an edge?

 

[dintymoore]

Isn't it this? :

One way you are using the A/D in your preamp, the other the A/D in your card... just a matter of which A/D conversion sounds better.

So it's not analog vs digital, either was is analog to digital, but one sounds better.

It sounds like your ears made a decision that the preamp's convertors are better, so I'd trust that.