Undoubtedly i would expect it to be better, but I have used the x18 at many hundreds of gigs over the last 7 years, its been thrown around, stood on, had drinks drop on it and been yanked around by its cables, and in that time hasn't missed a beat once, so I trust it. If I had nothing now I would probably get the CQ18, but there is nothing that I would really gain from it at the moment, and who needs better mic preamps when your singer sounds muffled at source!