Hi-z or line in for EMG 81 DI recording?

[laszlozsolt82]

i am using active EMG 81 pick up and my problem was that my DI recording was clipping (fireface 400 Hi-z input with pad activated) and the guy from RME (jeff?) wrote that i should use the normal line input with the pad activated on active pickups.
so is it correct to use this way active pickups? or he is wrong? maybe i need a separate better Di box with a smaller pad?
are the HI z inputs for passive pick ups only? and actives have to go with line level input?the impedance is different i think , it does not change the sound?
i also read of the 18 v mod on active pick ups and the guy said that it will be less gain and more headroom. Maybe i will try that thing out and also lower the bridge pick up a bit and maybe the clipping will dissapear.

 

[MetalJonesy]

my 81 DI's clip, not ont he input of the mic preamp, but they naturally clip in output from the active circutry in the guitar, so its fine!

 

[deLuther]

Comparison of EMG 85 plugged into line in of mic pre and Hi-Z input, same pre so gain is the same.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3630120/EMG85_line_vs_HiZ.rar
Lots of internal pickup clipping here

Interesting thing is that peak level of 85 is lower than some of my passive pickups, so, probably, I will have mic pre clipping with these pickups before than with EMG 85.