Given the fact that the DX168 is a D-Live expansion stage box it would be totally inconsistent for it it have lower level quality out put amps. It is important to understand the small measurable functional difference between the D-Live I/O s VxS the SQ’s internal I/Os. It is most apparent with the small increased amount of DBs that will be available for FOH distribution. IMO the difference is due to improved detailed transparency that lowers the system noise floor, and this is even more evident with the A&H “Prime I/Os” that reach a new world class level of sonic console clarity delivery. They are available at this point only with a DX32 enclosure.
I have and use both a DX168 for live FOH distribution and a Prime loaded DX32 that I deploy mostly for studio recording activities. Matching up the I/Os with the sonic quality of your gear to be deployed down the capture and delivery chain is extremely important. There are also various venue & or stage noise floor levels that are well beyond our ability to remediate. Generally speaking the DX168 I/Os should provide a little bit better sonic capture than the internal SQ’s I/Os for any system be it for live SR or recording in the studio.
Hugh