High End Head Unit Selection Help

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

for hu and processor........$1000

i would definitly get the zapco dsp for processing, i have it built into my amps, it is awesome, sound downright wicked. as far as head units go, ehh, too many to choose from. zapco has one coming out god only knows when, supposed to blow away the market SQ wise.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

since you would only be using this as a 2 way front stage setup, i wouldn't get either any of the stuff suggest on here. are you running passive? if so, its basially useless getting a rockford 3sixty.2, p9,h701 or zapco dsp. if going active and if you plan on ugrading down the road to let's say a 3 way front stage, then maybe the options on here might fit the bill.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

since you would only be using this as a 2 way front stage setup, i wouldn't get either any of the stuff suggest on here. are you running passive? if so, its basially useless getting a rockford 3sixty.2, p9,h701 or zapco dsp. if going active and if you plan on ugrading down the road to let's say a 3 way front stage, then maybe the options on here might fit the bill.

I don't have a clue what you just said.

Could you explain more in detail or point me to where I can read about your comments? I've got a great installer who can do a competition sq setup but I want to pick out the components.

After my installer tunes the system, I don't think I will do any adjusting myself except for the volume control.

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

click on my active thread in my sig to know the differences between active and passive crossovers.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

oh just looking at your other thread about speakers, looks like you going are going passive. i would just get an hu that has the features that you want such as ipod. also t/a and a eq would be nice. maybe something in the lines of eclipse 8xxx series or alpine 9813,9815,9833,9835,9853, or 9855.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

oh just looking at your other thread about speakers, looks like you going are going passive. i would just get an hu that has the features that you want such as ipod. also t/a and a eq would be nice. maybe something in the lines of eclipse 8xxx series or alpine 9813,9815,9833,9835,9853, or 9855.

I will go over your comments with my installer, but won't he need a processor to set the sound stage?

Only thing I need a HU for is CD's and FM and HD FM.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

there are a number of other factors to consider. will you biamp your components or just run off a two channel amp? where is he going to be installing the tweeters? your installer probably won't do too much of the tuning besides the eq and possibly t/a and maybe a lil crossover selection for the highpass of the components and lowpass for the sub.

in all honesty, if you don't plan on upgrading down the road, i think an eclipse 8xxx series hu will be sufficient or even the alpines as i mentioned earlier or even the pioneer 880prs.

but if you got the dough, what i would do is buy a dead head hu such as a mcintosh mx406, rockford 8250, nakamichi mbx and buy the rockford 3sixty.2. but as i said, i dunno if you'll be using it to its potential. but up to you.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

there are a number of other factors to consider. will you biamp your components or just run off a two channel amp? where is he going to be installing the tweeters? your installer probably won't do too much of the tuning besides the eq and possibly t/a and maybe a lil crossover selection for the highpass of the components and lowpass for the sub.
in all honesty, if you don't plan on upgrading down the road, i think an eclipse 8xxx series hu will be sufficient or even the alpines as i mentioned earlier or even the pioneer 880prs.

but if you got the dough, what i would do is buy a dead head hu such as a mcintosh mx406, rockford 8250, nakamichi mbx and buy the rockford 3sixty.2. but as i said, i dunno if you'll be using it to its potential. but up to you.

Wow! I had no clue that all this stuff was going on in car audio!!

I 've picked out the speakers though........

Rainbow CS 265 Profi Phase Plug 6 1/2" in the front doors

Boston SPG-555 sub (1) in the trunk

I will research the HU's you mentioned.

Thanks!

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

he doesnt know how to equilize...fyi

And JoO dunno how to spell //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

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[Pr0d1gy 10+ year member]

If you're just going with a set of comps + subs (i.e. a 3 way setup), just get the Pioneer DEH880PRS head unit. It has a 3 way active crossover network & time alignment built in. It is only around $300 and has great sound quality for the money. Plus, it is a great way to get your feet wet with tuning...just learn about the crossovers before you turn the system up.

Or you could be like me & drop a grand on an Alpine IVA-d900 and H700/H701 combo. Optical out to the H70- processor is a definite winner.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

If you're just going with a set of comps + subs (i.e. a 3 way setup), just get the Pioneer DEH880PRS head unit. It has a 3 way active crossover network & time alignment built in. It is only around $300 and has great sound quality for the money. Plus, it is a great way to get your feet wet with tuning...just learn about the crossovers before you turn the system up.
Or you could be like me & drop a grand on an Alpine IVA-d900 and H700/H701 combo. Optical out to the H70- processor is a definite winner.

Is that a big plus having the HU send out digital to the processor? Does the processor also send out digital to the amps?

 

[Pr0d1gy 10+ year member]

Is that a big plus having the HU send out digital to the processor? Does the processor also send out digital to the amps?

The reason it is a big deal is because the head unit's digital to analog processor usually isn't that great (there are exceptions). The sound processors have great DtoA converters that will take the signal & keep it crystal clear, as it was when it was digital. The signal going to the amps, then speakers, must be analog...thus the converter is essential for sound quality.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

The reason it is a big deal is because the head unit's digital to analog processor usually isn't that great (there are exceptions). The sound processors have great DtoA converters that will take the signal & keep it crystal clear, as it was when it was digital. The signal going to the amps, then speakers, must be analog...thus the converter is essential for sound quality.

I checked the Alpine DVA-9861 and it has digital out to the processor. Do you have any experience with this unit?

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

Both of these setups cost around $800

Clarion DRZ-9255

Alpine DVA-9861 w/ Alpine PXA-H701 or Rockford Fosgate 3.sixty.2

Which setup will yield the best sound quality?

The Alpine DVA-9861 was released in April 2006 so I guess not many have experience with it, and also the 3.sixty.2 is new.

The Clairon does not have HD radio, but I could skip that if the sq is that much better.

The Clairon has dual 24 bit/96 kHz DAC Burr-Brown

The Alpine has dual 24-bit/44.1 (if I'm reading the specs right?)

But does the DAC's on the Apine even matter if the digital outputs are used to connect to the processor.

I should stop now case I have no idea what I'm taking about.

Just looking for the best sq HU/Processor setup under $1000.

 

[thermal 10+ year member]

I guess I decided on the Clairon DRZ-9255.

I looked at the NAK CD-700II but it's $500 more.

I was told the Clairon is better sq than the Alpine DVA-9861.

No HD Radio on the Clairon.............oh well.