Constant Peaking During Recording - HELP

Okay I need some serious help guys. Here's my system specs first: Custom Built Desktop PC Vista Ultimate x64 EMU 1820 Sound Card I recently upgraded my mic from an "AKG Perception 200" to a "Rode NT1-A". I also picked up the "Presonus Studio Channel" because I needed a compressor for my powerful voice. As far as my signal flow it's: NT1-A => Presonus SC => EMU 1820 (Mic Line A) Now here comes the problem: I'm peaking. I'm peaking like crazy. Reaper is slamming to solid ZEROdb at even conversation level vocals. And the worst thing is that I don't even have a clue as to why this is happening. The preamp section is set at the LOWEST levels, the compressor section is at a basic 2:1 with 0db of gain makeup, and I have the EQ bypassed for now. As far as it being plugged into my EMU, it's plugged in via the front face XLR inputs. That line is set at home level right now, but I tried reducing it as far as it'll go and still nothing changed. I am totally at a lose here and need some help. Any suggestions or help is appreciated. I'll even post pics if you guys need them.

Do you think that maybe the preamp in the Presonus is clashing with the preamp in the EMU unit (That can't be turned off by the way). Should I not use XLR into the EMU, but a regular line in instead?

It's not the concepts of what they do that I don't understand. I know how to work these things fine as I'm used to working with them in the studio (I'm in my home studio now). My problem, however, comes when I've turned down even the master volume of the preamp as far as it will go and yet I'm still peaking (and this is now with the compressor off). I'm anal and make it a priority to read the documentation of something I buy about a week or two ahead of time (PDF downloads lol). Something is a bit off somewhere as the only time I peaked before was when I got REALLY loud, and now a whisper will set it off. Does anyone have the "Presonus Studio Channel" that can maybe shed some light as to what's happening here? ...I can't help but think it might be that sensitive mic that I just bought.

Hmm I figured it out and, like I said, it was no fault of mine. Reaper dropped my ASIO driver and picked up the windows default one (Why or how I have no clue). So the thing was in 16bit/44.1k mode when I'm singing in at a different bit rate and a different volume impedance than that mode can handle. I had everything set right, I just forgot to look UP at the software itself to make sure things were running fine there. That was the problem, not my expertise, but than you anyway.

No, Windows wasn't recording through my soundcard. Inside recording software you have to select the drivers you are going to use for that specific application. I've always had my ASIO drivers selected, but for some reason Reaper dropped my ASIO drivers and went back to whatever was default for it (which was labeled Windows Direct Wave Out). It all had to do with the drivers, nothing else :)