XX seems about 2-3db louder (more dynamic?).
When the DAC you used is the same (or better : when the whole chain after the PC is the same as that after the CDP), then, yes, I would dedicate that to more dynamics (and you probably read my descriptions about that). But *was* the chain the same ? I can imagine that with the CDP you at least didn't use the Fireface ...
Then, at using the Fireface, be careful dat the sliders are at the 0dB position. You can easily get them there by means of ctrl-click on them.
Higher is dead-wrong, and lower is not good also !
I don't yet hear any of this room correction stuff
Remember that there's nothing explicit in there, and all (my theories) is bound to "when it's good you don't need external corrections".
Since this, so far, works everywhere, and I don't expect you to reside in a concrete bunker (where it wasn't tested yet
your conclusion should be : then there's other things in my system not optimally working.
And Chris, I don't say this to be right or for a whatever unreal reason, I say it because it works everywhere, and when it didn't it was always solved by searching for the culprit as long as it took to get rid of the room anomalies.
I *know* that your TacT will do it better in the case there's something going on, just like the TacT will get rid of the anomalies at using Foobar. So the real message is : don't use filtering cables to get rid of harsh highs and find the culprit instead, which would be in the same leage as saying : don't use your TacT and find the real culprit instead (no matter how unbelieveable it comes to you).
Of course you remember the nos-DAC thing (as a prerequisite to let it all work(out)), so here is reason #1.
But of course again, in your situation it would be a rather awkward solution, because the first thing you'd have to do is get rid of the TacT as well. That is, you'd be only allowed to let it pass through everything 100%.
Also, do note that squeezing out the peaks is different -and not as bad- as pulling up the dips, and that dips of 0dB SPL exist which just can't be amplified (1000 x 0 = ... ?).
Might you be able to get hold of an nos DAC loaner, don't hesitate to try whether I could be right ...
If I am, it would be worth it. You know that ...