So I've owned my 950 since 2002, but for some reason I'm just now realizing that the 5.1 analog input bass mgmt is different from the analog bypass bass mgmt. (And I know this is the 990 forum, but since I'm in the market for an upgrade I figured it was still pertinent.)

I'm at the point where I want to incorporate a high end 2-channel preamp into my HT. I really like my 950 for movies, but it's become the weak link in terms of music. So my question is this: What improvements are there to be had by picking up a really nice DAC and running it through the stereo analog bypass? I don't expect that to sound as good as if I had a great preamp to go with it, but for now I'm wondering how much of an upgrade the DAC alone would be.

I was wondering if any of you guys are running high quality sources with your Outlaw pre/pros vs. just using the DACs in the 950/990/etc for music. Do you guys think the analog bypass is good enough in the 950 that improving the source (for Redbook CDs) would make a nice upgrade?

Thanks!