I sometimes use a Pod with the processed output for monitoring and the bypass/direct output for recording (to be processed later with Guitar Rig or whatever).
 
I also use old school direct boxes, but if the preamp in your interface isn't strong enough, that doesn't help.

I'm sure the replies here already helped but just for the record guitar DI signal IS very quiet. I record my DI's at about -18dB and the waveforms look tiny but it doesn't matter, it's going into the amp sim.

Just about any stomp box would do.

I use a Danelectro fish and chips 7 band EQ stomp.
Also My BR 800 interface does a great job of preamping as a DI too.

Well, after coming "this" close to buying the M Audio Fast Track C400 (it's SO sexy looking...) I realized I was replacing my USB sound card with another USB sound card and I really think I should be moving to a PCI card if I'm going to change cards at this point. So, since all I was looking for was something to boost my Fender's signal, I picked up the $29 Art Tube MP (while attending a great Q&A and X2 demonstration led by Jimmy Landry at the NYC Guitar Center) to fill the void until I can afford a good, low latency PCI card. For now this is going to work fine. I've tested it out and for the little amount of electric guitar I use, it's fine.  I'm sure other interfaces have a cleaner sound, but for $29...? Couldn't lose.

So, once again I thank everyone for their input. I'll be searching for threads concerning good PCIe cards in the future.  Don't want to duplicate what's probably already discussed elsewhere, so for now I'll just say...

THANKS!
Rob

UPDATE...

Ok, so I said I was going to wait until I could buy a good PCI card, but after playing around with the Art Tube MP I realized I was getting what I paid for ($29). The line level input for my guitar was not very good, and the sound quality when plugging in a microphone was pretty dirty.  Again, worth the $29, but I had it in my head that I wanted something better.  So I decided to pull the trigger on the new MAudio Fastrack C400. All the information about it said the audio quality was good and I was taken by the looks and the multi-monitors outs. 

When I was buying Tube MP, I asked about the MAudio C400. They were out of them, but the salesperson said what I really wanted was the Focusrite 2i2 if I wanted good sound quality. I bought the Tube Amp.

Couple of days later I went to B&H to buy the C400 which was in stock.  The salesperson there ALSO recommended the 2i2... for the sound quality. 

In the end, I bought the Scarlett 2i2. And both salespeople were right.  The sound quality for both my guitar and cheap mic is GREAT. Simple, not too expensive and the latency is as good if not better than my old Audiophile USB.

So, again, thanks all for your input.

Best,
Rob

The Art MP is a good little unit but can be noisy.  When I got one in the mail it wouldn't hardly make any sound until I plugged the tube back in.  It is basically a cheap transformerless preamp/DI with a low voltage tube output stage wired in.  If you use the tube knob things get noisy quick.  It does work on bass if you want a fluffy sound.  I still take it to live gigs.

The Focusrite Scarlett should be a good all arounder.  Better buy for the money.

Enjoy.

@

I have an Edirol FA-66 Audio Interface via Firewire... Roland makes Edirol, as well as Cakewalk... 

I run a good XLR mic cable to a Shure SM57 and I actually mic my guitar cab... I feel I get better, beefier sound that way then from any of the PC/Mac Guitar Processing Programs. Line 6, IK Multimedia, Revolver, Guitar Rig... I've always gotten better sound micing up my guitar amp..... 

Ultimately living in a Condo, I'd love to be able to afford a Ax Fx2.... 

So Guitar Amp - Shure SM57 Mic - Edirol FA-66 Audio Interface - PC/Sonar X1...