4V preamp: worth it?

[Golitan11]

I have an Alpine SWR-12D4 subwoofer with an Alpine MRX-M110 amplifier and factory speakers (I may upgrade in the future) and I need to change my head unit. I am curently stuck between some from Kenwood (KDC-X397) and Pioneer (DEH-X7500S) because both have 4V preamp models, but for the same price, I can get Bluetooth with a 2.5V preamp (DEH-X6500BT). 4V preamp and Bluetooth models are too expensive for me (130$ is my maximum). So there are my questions:

1. Is a 4V preamp really worth it (more than Bluetooth for my smartphone)? Will it make such a difference with my actual setup?

2. Kenwood and Pioneer have really similar models. Kenwood has more power but Pioneer has a better equalizer. What brand/model is better (even if it is really personal I wanna know your opinions)?

Thanks.

Click to read more...

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

You wouldn't notice a difference using 2v or 4v preouts

Both Kenwood and Pioneer make good decks. I prefer Pioneer but that's only because that's all I've really used.

I would go with the one that you like better.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I have an Alpine SWR-12D4 subwoofer with an Alpine MRX-M110 amplifier and factory speakers (I may upgrade in the future) and I need to change my head unit. I am curently stuck between some from Kenwood (KDC-X397) and Pioneer (DEH-X7500S) because both have 4V preamp models, but for the same price, I can get Bluetooth with a 2.5V preamp (DEH-X6500BT). 4V preamp and Bluetooth models are too expensive for me (130$ is my maximum). So there are my questions:
1. Is a 4V preamp really worth it (more than Bluetooth for my smartphone)? Will it make such a difference with my actual setup?

2. Kenwood and Pioneer have really similar models. Kenwood has more power but Pioneer has a better equalizer. What brand/model is better (even if it is really personal I wanna know your opinions)?

Thanks.

You definitely want the 4V preouts. Without enough preout voltage, you really have to crank the gain on your amp up. It's hard to explain, but it seems like you get a lot more output with higher voltage preouts, even with the amps set the same with a DMM. And also, I personally don't like using bluetooth for music because it doesn't play music at a high bitrate (all of my music is either 320kbps mp3 or in lossless format) - so you lose some sound quality there. Also, completely ignore the power ratings. Kenwood and Pioneer both make good head units. You might consider going used. I got my Pioneer DEH-500UB (was $210 new when they still made it) for somewhere around $100 and it's amazing. 3 sets of 5v preouts, the sound retriever function, iPod USB capatability, etc.

 

[mr_naler]

Pioneer DEH-P8400BH

$139 @ sonicelectronix: 3 sets of 4v preouts, 5 band EQ, Bluetooth, and several other goodies. It's a really good deal, especially considering free shipping and discounted install items. I know it's $9 over your maximum, but you can always swap out a couple meals with Ramen and make up the difference. That's what I would do anyhow, I'm kinda cheap though.

 

[Golitan11]

Ok thanks. So in what way Kenwood and Pioneer are different then?

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

Ok thanks. So in what way Kenwood and Pioneer are different then?

The features and looks are about the only difference. The power output isn't going to be noticably different. Read through the product details and that pretty much tells you all of the differences. I've ran both Kenwood and Pioneer head units and both worked well.

 

[Alrojoca 10+ year member]

If you need BT go with Pioneer, if not go with Kenwood

 

[tc300 10+ year member]

0P spend the money and get a good deck!! Why... Cause its where ur music starts at!!!

 

[Joe562MMA 10+ year member]

i noticed a difference in my 4v outputs but to each his own, if u wanna go diff route u can just get a clarion eq or that has 7v pre outs or other similar eq

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

there really isn't going to be much of difference between 2 identical deck with 2v and the other having 4v b/c the gain of you amp should be matched to the input voltage. I'll tell you personally on all my own systems I always have some sort of signal processor with a line driver built into it to get a higher pre amp voltage.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I noticed a difference between my 2v preouts in my first HU and the 5v preouts now.

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

I've never noticed any difference between using 2v or 4v pre outs.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I've never noticed any difference between using 2v or 4v pre outs.

Higher voltage preouts = lower gain setting on amp

Lower gain on amp = less signal noise/distortion because it isn't amplified as much

 

---------- Post added at 09:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 AM ----------

 

I've never noticed any difference between using 2v or 4v pre outs.

Higher voltage preouts = lower gain setting on amp

Lower gain on amp = less signal noise/distortion because it isn't amplified as much

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

Higher voltage preouts = lower gain setting on amp
Lower gain on amp = less signal noise/distortion because it isn't amplified as much

 

---------- Post added at 09:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 AM ----------

 

Higher voltage preouts = lower gain setting on amp

Lower gain on amp = less signal noise/distortion because it isn't amplified as much

Like I said, I've never noticed a difference using 2v or 4v pre outs.

And by difference, I mean a difference in sound

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

same here i had 2volt alpine decks that blew away some of my pioneer 4volt decks in sq