How would you connect a preamp that only has an XLR output to an
interface that doesn't have any line level XLR inputs? Would you buy a
XLR to TRS cable? Would that distort the sound a bit?

For example, if you have an Avalon 737SP and a Digi 002 rack, what
would you do to connect the Avalon to the Digi 002?

I have a Presonus Eureka right now with an Audiophile 2496 soundcard.
The soundcard has S/PDIF connectors but I would need to buy an ADAT
card for the Presonus to connect it like that. Right now I use a little
adapter that goes into the TRS output in the the Eureka and gives me an
RCA connection and I put the RCA cable into my soundcard recording the
sound in mono.

I'm thinking about moving to the Protools world and need some help on
how I would connect it, and is Windows XP recommended, or should I just
stick with my nice little Adobe Audition setup.

So the real question is, should I just buy a card for my Eureka and
hook it up with the S/PDIF in my soundcard? Or should I try going into
the Protools world? Or should I just leave everything alone and use the
rca cables with my Eureka as I'm doing now?

Oh, and how do you get sound from a preamp that has only XLR out to an
interface that has only 1/4" inputs?

Thanks.