You want to use a separate CD transport with the Meridian 568 pre-pro. The 568 digitizes all analog inputs, there is no pass thru. Therefore only a transport makes any sense, using one of the digital inputs. Of course the digital out of any CD player is a workable transport.
As far as which of the above actually sounds better, I don't know. In the end, you are listening to the Meridian DAC in both cases.
As far as which of the above actually sounds better, I don't know. In the end, you are listening to the Meridian DAC in both cases.