Anything comparable to the DEX-P9?

[Babs 10+ year member]

I just wish someone would make a processor that's not proprietary with digital in

Actually though, I thought the 701 could be used with other units with optical out???

I might be wrong.

But you'd still need to use the 701 controller for that volume/processing control.

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

Agreed..
CD Laser --> 1's and 0's --> DAC/Processing --> Preamp to RCA's

The disc "player" would basically just become a CD transport with digital out.. Like a home theater setup.

One problem I see is the volume control is at the end at the analog level.. So you'd have to have some control upfront to that preamp.. AInet control over the 701 for example.

I almost think it's better to have all the reading, processing and preamp IN the head unit, but pull the power supply to external and NO internal power amp..

Ala DRZ9255.

OR at least if the OEM's had RCA preouts.. single flat-EQ left/right or 5.1 whatever.. wouldn't that be Sweeeet!~

ahh your right we are sending the digital signal away from the volume control, instead of to it like home audio:crap:

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

Actually though, I thought the 701 could be used with other units with optical out??? I might be wrong.

But you'd still need to use the 701 controller for that volume/processing control.

to much money for me to get into all that, I am lazy on T/A AND PARA'S any way, the new alpine processor with audessey built in looks cool, I am going to swap out my cd7100 for a clarion 675 and use my amp crossovers and see how that works, the most noticeable difference in SQ difference I have gotten was the cheapest thing I bought the dynamat, I did 1 door and not the other wow it's a very audible difference, of course I found where the idiots made there own screw holes in my door putting my panels back onissed: afraid to do the other door who knows what I will find, and I guessed they just kept the 12 gauge speaker wire I brought them. They did 1 good thing they made me a DIY SORRY FOR THE RANT

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Those Altomobile units are SOOOOO expensive. I don't know if I can justify over $1000 for just a processor, especially when I'll still need to get a HU. And them things aren't very common so getting them used is very difficult.

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

to much money for me to get into all that, I am lazy on T/A AND PARA'S any way, the new alpine processor with audessey built in looks cool, I am going to swap out my cd7100 for a clarion 675 and use my amp crossovers and see how that works, the most noticeable difference in SQ difference I have gotten was the cheapest thing I bought the dynamat, I did 1 door and not the other wow it's a very audible difference, of course I found where the idiots made there own screw holes in my door putting my panels back onissed: afraid to do the other door who knows what I will find, and I guessed they just kept the 12 gauge speaker wire I brought them. They did 1 good thing they made me a DIY SORRY FOR THE RANT

I would have thought that CD7100 would sound pretty darn good. Are you not pleased with the 7100?

If that head unit is what it's supposed to be, there's definitely something else in your chain that's not satisfying you..

Sound deadening will definitely help.. When I start to do my system, I want to do the entire car throughout. Oh, and definitely IF YOU CAN, do it yourself... Otherwise, it's the search for a trustworthy installer that won't screw you, which I can imagine is difficult unless they let you watch them work.. Sorry I just don't trust many.

But the whole install is very important with amps, aftermarket speakers, soundproofing, etc... If the wiring sucks for speakers, interconnects or power, that's also an issue. It's easy just to throw it in there with cheap wiring and poor connections and call it done.. Another reason to ask the installer to watch them work.. If they refuse.. see ya.

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Just got off the phone with Apline USA. The customer service rep said that any 2007 or 2006 DVD head units will have full control of the H701. Fantastic! I'm just going to pick up a used H701 and a used DVD Apline Head unit and use it as a transport. This is fantastic!

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

I'll bet you'll dig it.. I saw new 9860's out there somewhere for decent prices too.

I'm waiting on the CDA-9887.. I think it will be my pinnacle of diminishing returns..

Unless I find a steal on the 3sixty.2, PXE-H650 maybe or MS-8 (1st choice of the 3)

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

I would have thought that CD7100 would sound pretty darn good. Are you not pleased with the 7100?
If that head unit is what it's supposed to be, there's definitely something else in your chain that's not satisfying you..

Sound deadening will definitely help.. When I start to do my system, I want to do the entire car throughout. Oh, and definitely IF YOU CAN, do it yourself... Otherwise, it's the search for a trustworthy installer that won't screw you, which I can imagine is difficult unless they let you watch them work.. Sorry I just don't trust many.

But the whole install is very important with amps, aftermarket speakers, soundproofing, etc... If the wiring sucks for speakers, interconnects or power, that's also an issue. It's easy just to throw it in there with cheap wiring and poor connections and call it done.. Another reason to ask the installer to watch them work.. If they refuse.. see ya.

it sounds good, the clarion was dirt cheap dd dvd touch panel for 670 shipped never had 1 it was an impulse buy:*******: , I think I am going to probaly miss the Eclipse, I have to much stuff right now, got some rainbow prof vandium phase plug's going in to replace my DLS 6.2i( a month old ), sold my rear fill qsd MB Quarts, going to focus on front speakers and sound deadning

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

I'll bet you'll dig it.. I saw new 9860's out there somewhere for decent prices too. I'm waiting on the CDA-9887.. I think it will be my pinnacle of diminishing returns..

Unless I find a steal on the 3sixty.2, PXE-H650 maybe or MS-8 (1st choice of the 3)

I think diminishing returns would be exceded with even a 9860. I only need the head unit for the following things:

Volume control

H701 control

Digital audio output via toshlink

Minimal Radio use, even HD and Satelite radio

And nothing else. A transport with undiscernible jitter and wow and flutter levels shouldn't be hard to build. I'd feel kinda stupid paying $400 dollars for a HU when I'm only going to use it for those 4 reasons. Its not even going to be my main source! I may just wait until the 08's come out and get a used 06 DIRT cheep!

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

i haven't used it myself but i know plenty of people who use the 9861/9860 but also have the controller. they say its MUCH easier to tune through the controller. i forgot what the limitations were tuning through the 9861/9860 though. i think it was something about the display of the menus and stuff.

The only limitation when using the 9860/1 is the inability to switch between nonAi-net input sources on the H701. With the C701 there is a menu with the ability to select the inputs directly. This is not an option with the 9860/1 so any other sources need to be controlled thru an Ai-net connection.

I've used both the C701 and the 9860. Honestly, once you spend 5 minutes with the 9860 you realize that it's pretty damn simple to navigate and control the H701. Yes, the C701's GUI is a easier to navigate. But the 9860 is NOT as difficult as everyone makes it out to be.

The only reason I see for someone needing the C701 when using the 9860/1 would be for input selection. Otherwise the difference in navigation abilities simply is not worth the price unless you are slow or lazy........or you simply found an unbelievable deal on a C701.

I just wish someone would make a processor that's not proprietary with digital in

The H701's digital inputs are not proprietary. You can use it with any headunit that has Toslink output or with the addition of a digital coaxial to toslink convertor any headunit that has digital coax out aswell (such as the Eclipse 8053).

You would need the C701 controller in the above instances. Which I don't think is bad considering the only other real options for creating a universal external DSP are to 1) build the controls into the unit itself, which ofcourse means you would need to run to the trunk anytime you wanted to adjust anything, 2) control it with a device the consumer already owns such as a PDA or computer; the former would mean someone who does not own a PDA would have to go purchase one and the later is difficult for someone who only owns a desktop (and I can tell you I personally am not transporting my desktop to the garage simply to adjust a DSP).

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

I would control volume and everything else still with my head unit, and only use the C701 to control T/A and X-over's?

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

I would control volume and everything else still with my head unit, and only use the C701 to control T/A and X-over's?

Why do that when your head unit can control time alignment and crossovers itself?

If the 9860/1 cannot switch between non Ai-net devices and itself, how would you select the input you want? Is there a way to switch between the "Head Unit" "DVD changer" and "CD changer" Toshlink inputs on the H701 using a 9860/1? If not, I'd think you'd have to run the non Ai-net device through the headunit itself and use the device through the "AUX" input. Its an offly cumbersome way of connecting a device and you loose the functionality of the othe 2 digital inputs unless you have Ai-NET devices.

But wait, does the 9860 or 9861 even have a toshlink input? I CAN NOT justify spending 400 dollars on a CD audio transport and a digital volume attenuator.

 

[Igno 10+ year member]

because I have a double din clarion that has digital out, I just got it hours ago but I am pretty sure the x-over's are not that great or non existent, off to read the book

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Checked the manual, don't think it has an optical input.

I don't even thing the 9965 has one!

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

because I have a double din clarion that has digital out, I just got it hours ago but I am pretty sure the x-over's are not that great or non existent, off to read the book

Yeah, read the manual first. I donno what model you have but I do know Clarion makes some models with up to 4 way crossovers with decent slope and frequency options. If I had one of those clarions, I wouldn't think it necessary to spend double as much just to get a little extra flexability.