The Solution

So after many unsuccessful recordings with only meager improvment, I have tested and determined that I need to buy a better preamplifier. In this case, I think a MOTU 8Pre will do the job. This little wonder combines the beauty of 8 integrated XLR connections with a firewire interface. I can use this and my exsiting MOTU 828 and do 16 channel recording.

  

Also on the radar is the ART TubeFire8

Either of these babies would do the job and would eliminate the need for a space sucking board on my desktop.  Any body have any real world experience with these?