[HELP] What interfaces/amps/etc do you use for your covers?

I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 that I bought a little over a year ago.. it's a great interface, but my main complaint is that a few of my guitars that have active pickups, and apparently just hotter pickups (Schecter C-8 Deluxe, Schecter Blackjack ATX, and Ibanez SR750), clip like crazy even when I have my gain set to minimum. I've read a lot about the issue, and the Scarlett 2i4 remedies this by having built in pads.

I've tried a DI-Box, and I just feel like it kills some of the tone of the instruments.

Either way, I was looking to upgrade my current interface, probably going to go with the 2i4 since I'm familiar, and it would fix my issue, but I was wondering if anyone has some advice, experience with it, or just good things to say about other interfaces or methods of recording. I'm trying to keep the price around $200 - $300USD.

The Focusrite products are supposed to have amazing pre-amps, but man, some of you guys' covers sound so full, and beefy, not sure if that's your mixing/mastering skill, or something to do with equipment as well.