Hey Dream!
I posted almost this same question about 18 months ago when comparing frames generated in Medialas' MIII and then exporting them to LSX. Both tests were done using Medialas DACs. I was getting half the power out when using LSX running the frames at the same pps, although several of the laser modules tested didn't have a good linear power ramp-up and I didn't test the modulation voltage either to see what that difference was. (I have since most of my linearity issues through driver upgrades (frequently Flexmod P3s with a smattering of other drivers)).
In the following week, I spent a good deal of time comparing MIII's default optimisation settings, what I had set them to in MIII and what the default optimization settings in LSX. It was an apples-to-oranges comparison to some degree as MIII had far fewer and sometimes different optimization settings as compared to LSX. Although I never went back and retested in MIII, I got significantly improved brightness and image reproduction quality after significant tweaks. I also learned to appreciate LSX's ability to create and save an unlimited number of optimization settings so that you could optimize each projector based on its own limitations. I was simultaneously adjusting the DZ Color board to get equivalent ramp-up and ramp-downs from each color. These modifications made significant differences as well. Since so many variables were changing simultaneously, it is difficult for me to say where the biggest difference was, but at some point, I no longer noticed relative power issues when switching between MIII and LSX. I should go back and retest with the same ILDA frames one of these days, but I've pretty much abandoned MIII after getting LSX.
I'll be interested to hear if you are able to quantify your observations further.
-David
"Help, help, I'm being repressed!"