would normalizing help out at all
Nah. A preamp like the Denecke AD20 will work.
why wouldn't it work?
normalizing should do the trick if you ask me. i'm guessing your recordings sounds ok, its just not loud enuf for your liking. if you normalize the audio, it'll take the highest peak and make that 0 db. making your whole recording louder, but no clipping will occur.
i'd imagine that'd get the audio up to an audible level, it might not still be to your preferred loudness, but it'll at least allow you to listen to your recording without cranking up your stereo.
a new preamp would help for the most part, but i think a little normalization will go along way with this recording.