Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

I'm using the XL7 with Sonar and softsynths.  I'd like to find out 
whether other XL7 users output their XL7 through a frontend 
compressor before recording it to harddisk.  I'm making dance music 
(techno/trance etc. etc.).

I'm looking to buy a compressor such as TLAudio's Fat 1 or FMR Really 
Nice Compressor 1773 to compress and warm up the XL7 stereo output.  
The compressor will be patched into the RME Multiface.  I want to get 
a nice hot signal onto disc and not have spikes.

Do any of you compress the XL7 sound?  If so what do you use or think 
is the best sounding frontend?  I've spent a ton on the RME so I 
can't afford the really high end compressors.

I've also thought of using compressor plugins on the XL7 stereo input 
inside the computer but don't know how to set this up in Sonar or 
with the RME mixer.  Is it easier to use an outboard compressor 
instead?

Any ideas/experiences on this subject appreciated. :)