I'm currently replacing my AVIC-N3 with an AVIC-N5 in my 2003 accord. I probably should be looking at the AVIC-Z120BT for a serious upgrade, but I got the N5 at a pretty good price.
I have only one concern, the N3 has a moderate preamp output of 2 volts, but for some reason the N5 has a preamp output of 1.7 volts.
Now I've been reading, and I know technically as long as the amp has a preamp input in the range of the Head Unit, it technically should reach its max output regardless. From my understanding why so many people and manufactures like higher preamp output is to reduce, or more specifically, make "engine noise" less noticeable by increasing the signal to noise ratio.
My concern is this, I do have a very small amount of engine noise as it is, I've tried various solutions, but at this point I hardly notice it (only when the outside is dead quiet and the radio is unnaturally low). But I am concerned this will get worse when I install the N5 with the lower preamp voltage.
So this is my main question, if I added the 3Sixty.2 processor to the system, since it would be an intermediate preamp component between the head unit and the amplifiers, and has a much higher preamp voltage (5v) would that increase the signal to noise ratio and therefore decrease how much the engine noise is noticed? OR would it just increase the preamp signal with the noise?
I'm assuming it would depend on the source of the noise. My signature has the rest of my components. Any suggestions is appreciated.
Also just to note the 3sixty.2 does have other features I would like as well and I plan to do as much adjusting as possible after the install of the N4 to see what if any audible in sound quality there are.
