I think your getting with your Motu what I'm after. I had to buy a Joe Meek 3Q because the pre amps on my Scarlett 6i6 are not at all up to my standards. I've played through many pre amps in my time and the Focusrite's were very disappointing. And After reading all the rave reviews too. Possibly Focurite makes nice pres but not for the Scarletts. And the Joe Meek solved the problem, but it's coloured. 
I still have my Yamaha 01V and I use that via SPDIF but it's just gotta blow up someday soon! 
 
So for my next interface the pre amps will be high on the list of priorities. 
I like what I've read about the Tascam UH 7000, the price is certainly affordable. But it might be time to bite the bullet and jump to that next level with RME or Motu. And I keep reading more and more good things about the Motu's pre's.  
 
I have a little Art Tube Pre and I upgraded the tube etc. It's a great little DI box when I do live sound for whimpy pezio PU's but it's terrible for vocals. 
 
I'm with you and I look for clean. I strive to record exactly what I'm hearing and if what I'm hearing doesn't sound good I don't record it until that is straightened out. 
If they could do  that in the 50's certainly we can too.