33 replies to this topic

[eclipse_DYN]

Hi Guys,

I've decided its time to start thinking about my next upgrade. All of my currrent gear is in my sig and I have just bought a second DA7122 and will shortly be purchasing 2x 12's (havent decided what subs yet)

I really like my Dyn's and will be sticking with those. Im going to be putting my Eclipse 4ch in my gf's car, and purchasing a second S44 or S45 depending on availability.

Now I'm thinking about a processor. I like my 9887 for its functionality and excellent iPod control, but I think in terms of SQ its probably my weakest link and holding back some of the other gear. One option for me is to replace my 9887 with a high end unit like a HX-D2, p90 combo or p99rs, but I'm likely to be purchasing a new car within the next 6 months, and depending on the car I may want to retain the factory setup, hence I'm leaning towards a processor.

If I do keep my 9887 and add a processor, like the H701, I would have to use the Analogue inputs, and I have heard that they are noisy. I've only ever heard 1 system using a 701 and did not hear any audible noise. The H701 is my preferred option as I can retain the use of my volume control and all the wizz bangs of the 9887, and still get great sound. But if its that noisy than that is enough to put me off.

Im currently running my Dyn's semi active, with the midbass off the Eclipse amp (2x240) and the midrange/tweet off the S44 (2x200) As the midrange and tweet are 8ohm, if I went fully active, I would only be giving each driver 32.5 rms which I really dont think will be enough. I know that midrange and tweets dont need super amounts of power, but I do like my music pretty loud, and headroom is always a good thing.

So what do you think? Is it a waste of time adding a processor unless Im going to go fully active, and will adding something like the H701 give me an improvement in SQ? Is there another area that I should be investing instead of a processor? And just to throw another spanner in the works, should I be leaning more towards a bit1 or Zapco DSP6, or wait for the JBL MS-8?

EDIT: I should also mention that the speakers have been pro installed by Northfield and the doors are very well sound deadened

Edited by eclipse_DYN, 25 January 2010 - 07:11 PM.

[Luke352]

My personal opinion that the 9887 is probably holding you back the least, there are so many other things going on that a unit like the 9887 is probably really not holding you back at this stage.

I'd also skip the H701 and go straight towards something like the Bit1 or supposedly the MS-8 is expected for release in the next 6 months going from the hints that Andy has dropped.

Also 32rms is plenty for a Dome midrange and tweeter.

[eclipse_DYN]

Luke352, on Jan 25 2010, 06:56 PM, said:

My personal opinion that the 9887 is probably holding you back the least, there are so many other things going on that a unit like the 9887 is probably really not holding you back at this stage.

I'd also skip the H701 and go straight towards something like the Bit1 or supposedly the MS-8 is expected for release in the next 6 months going from the hints that Andy has dropped.

Also 32rms is plenty for a Dome midrange and tweeter.

Thanks for the quick response Luke. Maybe I should try fully active first and see what results that yields. Using a combination of crossovers on the head unit and amps would it be possible for me to do 3way + sub with the 9887??

Im very very interested in the MS-8 and if it is only a matter of months away, I would definately be keen on waiting for that. I've followed the thread on DIYMA since the very first post and if the MS-8 does what it says its going to do it will definately be worth the wait.

Its not that Im unhappy with the sound, my car does sound very good, but I want to take the next step and notice that all of the award winning SQ cars use the H701.

[mad89]

eclipse_DYN, on Jan 25 2010, 07:49 PM, said:

If I do keep my 9887 and add a processor, like the H701, I would have to use the Analogue inputs, and I have heard that they are noisy. I've only ever heard 1 system using a 701 and did not hear any audible noise. The H701 is my preferred option as I can retain the use of my volume control and all the wizz bangs of the 9887, and still get great sound. But if its that noisy than that is enough to put me off.

So what do you think? Is it a waste of time adding a processor unless Im going to go fully active, and will adding something like the H701 give me an improvement in SQ? Is there another area that I should be investing instead of a processor? And just to throw another spanner in the works, should I be leaning more towards a bit1 or Zapco DSP6, or wait for the JBL MS-8?

Luke352, on Jan 25 2010, 07:56 PM, said:

I'd also skip the H701 and go straight towards something like the Bit1 or supposedly the MS-8 is expected for release in the next 6 months going from the hints that Andy has dropped.

Interesting.

Anyone else have any feedback on an Alpine HU + H701 (via analog), or Alpine HU + BitOne.1. Im keen to read. Sorry if its a bit off topic, if so, i can make the topic myself lol

[HISPL]

I feel that the P90 combo or P99RS would be the best value option, other than that you would need to invest in an Alpine F1 Status deck and processor.

[Z2TT]

Which head units can the Bit1 be used with? The way i see it is every head unit has some proprietry connector? So you can only use Alpine Processor with some Alpine units.

How can I know which head units can run with the bit1 since i'm considering this on my next setup.

Thanks.

[2LOUD2OLD]

i believe the Bit1 can be used with any HU using the RCA inputs

[Luke352]

mad89, on Jan 25 2010, 09:50 PM, said:

Interesting.

Anyone else have any feedback on an Alpine HU + H701 (via analog), or Alpine HU + BitOne.1. Im keen to read. Sorry if its a bit off topic, if so, i can make the topic myself lol

2LOUD2OLD, on Jan 26 2010, 06:46 AM, said:

i believe the Bit1 can be used with any HU using the RCA inputs

I believe the Bit1 has the superior Analog inputs as the H701 has always been known to be noisy when using the Analog inputs unless you upgrade it like Simon did, whereas the Bit1 has had no issue with high noise floor from using Analog inputs (it had some others issue's when first released but these seem to be a thing of the past now), also the other inputs it has make it much more flexible and able to be used with a wide range of HU Optical/coax/toslink etc outputs.

Plus the ability to actually EQ the input, like when having to flatten out the output from an OEM unit (very very common) and then have a 31 band EQ on each output channel is pretty damn nice. The Dynamic EQ is also very nice basically it adapts the EQ from low to high volume which I believe you set up the changes. It has a better range of xover slopes, finer T/A adjustments etc...

Really the only downside is the budget grade opamps that it uses on the outputs, but luckily this is something that isn't too hard to upgrade if you want to spend the time doing it. Also I don't know what the quality of the opamps in the H701 are like either, they could be fairly comparable to the Bit1 so from a comparison point of view could be a mute point.

[HEKYEH]

The BitOne does look like a very capable and versatile processor. Readily available too.

H701 is discontinued so the only way u r going to get one is 2nd hand...and they r pretty rare... So good luck tracking one down!

It's a shame that the 9887 doesn't have an optical out....I thoguht it would have... Glad my 9861E has an optical out

[mad89]

If you were referring to me, then i have relatively easy access to either a 2nd hand H701 (with RUX controller) or a new BitOne.1. I guess its going to come down to price too.

I just dont want to get the H701 and have it be noisy on me. But it would be nice to keep it all Alpine and have the RUX controller mounted with my HU, since they work seemlessly together, rather than like an 'add on' type thing like the BitOne.1 would... Sigh. Tough choice!

[HEKYEH]

Nope....was referring to the original poster... u big bad thread hijacker

[mad89]

Sue me! haha.

Ill start my own thread soon.

[eclipse_DYN]

mad89, on Jan 26 2010, 04:38 PM, said:

If you were referring to me, then i have relatively easy access to either a 2nd hand H701 (with RUX controller) or a new BitOne.1. I guess its going to come down to price too.

I just dont want to get the H701 and have it be noisy on me. But it would be nice to keep it all Alpine and have the RUX controller mounted with my HU, since they work seemlessly together, rather than like an 'add on' type thing like the BitOne.1 would... Sigh. Tough choice!

I know of some second hand and ex-demo H701's for sale, but totally agree with the noisy inputs being an issue. Seems like the best thing to do would be to either get a p99rs or wait for the JBL MS-8.

The Audison Bit1 interests me a lot also, but to be honest I'm really not keen on having to the bit1 volume control.

[Luke352]

All processors are the same if you use Analog inputs the original source units volume control is used, if you use some kind of optical/toslink input you will use the processors controller for volume.

[HEKYEH]

Luke352, on Jan 26 2010, 07:51 PM, said:

All processors are the same if you use Analog inputs the original source units volume control is used, if you use some kind of optical/toslink input you will use the processors controller for volume.

I have a DVA-9861E and it connects via Optical to the H701. I also have the RUX controller.

I use the head unit to control the volume...not the H701.

Or have I misread your post somehow?