jockey.wilson:eternaloptimist:
I have a CD6SE into PreXPd and Xpower...
The DAC in the PreXPd is the same as in the 8XPd. Its OK..just...
The sound from the CD6SE via analogue into the PreXPd (ie using the CDs own DAC) is
far, far better than using the CD6SE as a transport only and feeding (via optical) into the PreXPd DAC. The DAC in the PreXPd / 8XPd / 6XPd is
supposed to be on par with the DAC in the CD6SE - in my opinion it clearly is not. I hear the Qx DAC version is quite a lot better...
I would suggest getting the CD6SE and 6XP and getting a separate, discreet DAC down the track into which you can then use the optical out of the CD6SE. In the meantime, you will have a lovely combination!
Good luck!
Cheers,
D
Prior to my current setup I had my CD XTSE fed into an 8XPd. I listened to this combo back to back against a CD8SE and thought that the transport/dac-in-amp sounded better. I think that the DAC's in the Cyrus amps are very good and comparable to those in their CD players BUT the standard (non Qx) DACs need a good signal from the transport.
The Qx DAC is a big upgrade when used with both the CD XTSE and files from a laptop.
I believe you that the Qx DAC is a signficant upgrade compared with the internal DAC in the PreXPd / 8XPd / 6XPd, but... here in Australiia, the Qx DAC upgrade costs AUD$1000. For the same money, I can get a superior Wyred-4-sound DAC-1 from the US which uses a cutting edge DAC, can accept 24/192 via coax etc, etc. (Would be already en route except the Financial controller is still recovering from the cost of the Audiovectors...
)
Side by side, when the CD6SE is used as a transport only, the sound is
identical to the laptop streamed FLAC files with J River MC 15 configured as per Computer audiophile. OK and useful for background music etc. but "flat" dynamically. With the analogue in, the sound is
much better. As mentioned above, the internal DAC in the XPd series is OK, but I will not be shelling out for the Qx module when I can get an better outboard DAC for the money... the only thing against this is... yet another box and aesthetics!
Still, horses for courses! I don't thing the OP will lose out either way.