I'm looking into microphone preamps.  Question I had (that I can't seem to find the answer to) is whether you can bypass the preamps on the UA-25EX by using a 1/4" jack for line level.  Basically, getting some cables wtih an XLR and 1/4". 
 
I'm not overly thrilled with the tone of my bass (main instrument) when monitoring the input.  I guess the easy work around is monitoring somewhere else in the chain.  But I still would like to know the answer to the overall question for tracking vocals and mic'd hand drums.
 
Thanks in advance!!

As far as I recall the preamps are autosensing.  You can plug in line levels (like a preamp).  It still passes through the preamp stage (which is pretty clean) but doesn't get boosted.

Not idea but shouldn't affect the sound.

@

AT


As far as I recall the preamps are autosensing.  You can plug in line levels (like a preamp).  It still passes through the preamp stage (which is pretty clean) but doesn't get boosted.

Not idea but shouldn't affect the sound.

@

I appreciate that.  So that means I may be looking at getting some XLR to 1/4" cables (found some prices better than getting adapters).  Since I don't need more than two inputs at the moment, this may be the route to go instead of talking about upgrading the interface.
 
 

It  is best (ie. cheapest) to buy them online, not at guitar center.  It is a real profit margin on GC cables.

No doubt.  I appreciate the help (and your posts in other threads).  I just bought a couple from Monoprice.  I'm pleased with their headphones and have good things.  $15 plus shipping for two 15' cables with gold-plated plugs, plus shipping, with coupon, for $23.  It will help me compare for now and go from there. 

Unfortunately, the UA 25EX preamps are not bypassable: no phantom power, TRS cable....but the final result between my Focurite ISA Two preamp and the audio unit is heavily influenced by the latter. A real LINE IN level is not available, because, as AT said, preamps are "autosensing", and also al 0 level with a TDR jack, the preamp still color the sound. This way of construction (not bypassable preamps) is completely insane and it's turning me mad, because I want the clear and natural ISA sound, but the final sound becomes fat and slightly saturated: this is because of the card, I recognize immediately the UA 25EX additive colouration because I have recorded with it for a lot of time! Maybe I have to buy a new interface and for what? Just to obtain a real Line In and use a real preamp as it deserves to be used?! What a good new!!!