Downsizing from 3x(4v) preouts to 1x(2v) :(

dayday
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First off let me just say my priorities are SQ and far from SPL. I'm going to be giving the new Pioneer "App Radio" a try. Seems like it should be right up my alley as I listen to all my music from my iPhone 4 and some radio. The down side is, it's only got 1 set of RCA outputs at 2v, where as my current HU has 3 x 4v.

I'll be running it into my JL HD 900/5 which has the option to select a 2ch input. Should the amp have enough "equalizing power" to separate things well enough off the 2ch input or should I look at some type of EQ that will split it into 3ch before the amp?

 
the amp will be fine with a 2 channel input. you'll need to redo your gains now that you have a much lower signal coming in.

the "App Radio" is designed for low bit rate connectivity and not SQ. SQ starts with uncompressed music sources. Any decent audio system will instantly make low bit rate music sources seem inaudible.

 
First off let me just say my priorities are SQ and far from SPL. I'm going to be giving the new Pioneer "App Radio" a try. Seems like it should be right up my alley as I listen to all my music from my iPhone 4 and some radio. The down side is, it's only got 1 set of RCA outputs at 2v, where as my current HU has 3 x 4v.
I'll be running it into my JL HD 900/5 which has the option to select a 2ch input. Should the amp have enough "equalizing power" to separate things well enough off the 2ch input or should I look at some type of EQ that will split it into 3ch before the amp?
You need to get a line driver to boost your RCA voltage.

 
I just went from a pioneer with 2v to a kenwood with 4v, 24bit dac, 5 band eq and higher s/n ratio than available on any pioneer I've seen on new models , and the difference is amazing. I'm not sure all what played a part of the difference, but I'm pretty sure alot has to do with the voltage and s/n. I think you're taking a big step backwards if going for sq.

 
^^^ I think the 24bit is what is making the difference. 2v-5v no matter adjust the gains for each setting and u will be fine..
I know its definitely a factor, but besides a "cleaner" signal people talk about, I don't think my amps liked having their gains up so high. Think I've read about that before as well, but don't know how true it is. But I seriously cannot believe how much better it sounds, and louder without distortion as well.

 
I just went from a pioneer with 2v to a kenwood with 4v, 24bit dac, 5 band eq and higher s/n ratio than available on any pioneer I've seen on new models , and the difference is amazing. I'm not sure all what played a part of the difference, but I'm pretty sure alot has to do with the voltage and s/n. I think you're taking a big step backwards if going for sq.
I've got an older Pioneer with 3x 4v and 24bit dac. The s/n ratio I have no idea about, but I really like it. I'm fairly happy with my head unit, and will only upgrade if I end up feeling the need for a touchscreen deck from PPI.

 
I've got an older Pioneer with 3x 4v and 24bit dac. The s/n ratio I have no idea about, but I really like it. I'm fairly happy with my head unit, and will only upgrade if I end up feeling the need for a touchscreen deck from PPI.
Ya older pioneer is great, I don't know what happened to them. Hopefully they will come back with good units that aren't extremely expensive.

 
I have a pana with 3 2.5v pre's and a pioneer with 3 4v pre's and I can tell no difference at all. I mean the pioneer has a few more eq options but other then that no difference. Slight justment of gain depending on what HU I use and I notice nothing. I guess some could but my amp does not seem to care if the gain is 2/3 the way up or 2/4 the way up... I think it all depends on what features u want.

 
higher amp gain settings means you amplify more signal + noise. if you don't have a background noise hiss, you won't notice a difference with the JL amp gains higher. that amp can do fine with a 2V signal, no line driver is necessary.

a line driver will amplify signal + noise just the same as the JL, except add an additional component for noise and distortion. the fewer items in the signal chain, the better. a line driver is necessary is when you need every last bit of voltage out of the amp, and a high input signal is required for max output - i.e. SPL. for SPL, hell yea, run line drivers. for any other application, just make sure the amp has a gain (input sensitivity) range that covers the output of the source. if you run cheap amps that are noisy, then a line driver can be helpful and allow you to minimize gains. but a JL is not a cheap, noisy amp.

of course, higher output voltages can provide better SNR, but if you already have a low noise source, it's not a huge deal. you're not competing and being judged with 0 bit tracks.

i honestly feel the concern is the source bit rate and not the output voltage that will have the largest effect on SQ. that, and the quality of the HU power supply and preouts. none of that can be "fixed" by a line driver.

 
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dayday

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