x many timesHow much of a difference do you think it REALLY made in SQ.?? Don't get me wrong I use a deck with NO internal amp and I agree that less heat built up in the deck the better. But I would TOTALLY advise against basing your decision on a new head unit based on this ONE feature. Eclipse used to make some great sounding head units that did NOT have this feature and it didn't affect SQ at all. In fact, the 8455 was one the best sounding head units out in it's time. All this feature does is keep the heat down somewhat. Look at EVERYTHING when looking for a new head unit. You'll find that this feature is pretty LOW on the food chain.
x many times
If your vocals sound like they have a lisp when the internal amp is ON then there were OTHER problems within the head unit. I seriously doubt the internal amp was causing that. If it was then there was a serious design flaw.From my experience, turning off the internal amp made people sound like they had no lisp. I mean, don't get me wrong, with the internal amp on it still sounded great. I'm not looking for some cheapo no name HU. I'll probably stick with Alpine...
There are several advantages using seperate components.I don't know. Maybe it interferes less with sound? People in the home theatre scene hate recievers because of their internal amplifier and use separates based on this and I assume its because of the same reasons.
Thanks for your insight, Adam. I will research further what other HUs are on the market. However, it seems all the newer good HUs have that function anywayIf your vocals sound like they have a lisp when the internal amp is ON then there were OTHER problems within the head unit. I seriously doubt the internal amp was causing that. If it was then there was a serious design flaw.
There are several advantages using seperate components.
1. Each component has it's own power supply. That way processing and amplification aren't using the same power supply and inducing noise. However in the case of an internal amp that isn't being used the noise will be much lower.
2. If you choose to upgrade you can do it 1 component at a time instead of (for example) changing out your head unit or A/V receiver.
3. Home theater guys that use seperates are 1) rich enough to afford them LOL 2) their power requirements far exceed what the biggest A/V receiver can put out. Also, external amplifiers tend to be much closer to their rated power where as A/V receivers power ratings tend to be a bit optimistic. 3) And again, the PRE/PRO and the AMPS will have their own seperate power supplies.
Thats not saying seperates ALWAYS provide the best results. A good clean deck with internal processing can sound just as good with much less noise than say an elaborate setup with seperate EQ, X-over. But that is pretty much where in car audio "less is MORE" in some cases.