Is DEQX a game changer?

Hi Al and thanks for the quick reply.  Your interpretation is correct.  It does sound quite good without my preamp, but I really like the tubes I have in it, adds a little “warmth” to the overall presentation, so I’m not ready to discard it.  The preamp isn’t super finicky, but confirming that the analog out into the preamp should suffice, has me stumped.

Ok, I won’t throw a “solved” in there, but generally the simplest answer is correct.  I wasn’t plugging both XLR’s from the preamp into the DEQX, just one side; which there was just white noise coming out.  Plugging both in makes it work, along with the sub. 

I believe the DEQX comes with operating software on a CD. Neither of my laptops have a disc drive so I might need to buy one. Does anyone know if that software can be accessed as a download and not read from a physical disc?

Yes, the software, user manual etc are available to download from the DEQX site (you will need to ask by email: alangford@deqx.com for the latest login & password to do so). 

Thanks! That's great news. I've been in contact with Alan Langford. I'll ask him.