Hi there,

I'm working on a new system with KEF Reference 5's for L/R and (2) KEF Reference 8b subs. This will also be part of a home theater with the McIntosh MC180 AV processor. I've spec'd out the McIntosh MC462 amp for the L/R channels. I'm planning to use a ROON library hosted on the SGM Extreme server. I'd like to use the Esoteric N-01XD DAC via USB from the ROON server but am having trouble figuring out how this works with the MX180. If I take the analog signal out from the N-01XD and bring it in to the MX180 via its balanced inputs, aren't I just sending it right back into its ADC for room correction/crossover/etc. then again back through another DAC before I can take it to the amp via the balanced outputs? Doesn't this make the special quality of the N-01XD basically useless in this chain?

Am I overthinking this? What is the best way to get the convenience of the MX180 processor but the quality of the N-01XD DAC?

Thanks for the feedback!

Links:
https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/home-theater-processors/MX180

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MC462

https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/n-01xd/feature

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/sgm-extreme-music-server/

https://www.shop.us.kef.com/home-theater/home-theater-separates/floorstanding-loudspeakers/reference-5-meta.html

https://www.shop.us.kef.com/home-theater/home-theater-separates/subwoofers/reference-8b-ultimate-subwoofer.html