21 replies to this topic

[Shreknos]

Hi, dont know if this belongs in the SQ section, but i need some help,

im looking at purchasing a source soon, as my system is almost complete,

i want the following

- extremely good sound, as in quality DACs good clean signal, high detail , low distortion, ect ect
- 8 channels of xovers, TA, Phase, and as much Eq as possible though im not too trippy on eq as its not super important to me
- MP3 and/or very good ipod control, though would enjoy MP3 more (please no comments on quality of mp3 or ipod, i already know)
- under 2k for combo
- dont mind seperate units like power supplies or processor boxes...

now i dont mind if its a bit one or something or a 360 or whatever, even an ms8, ill wait, i just cant seem to find a good source unit that will mate to a processor under that price.. if i have to lift price any more, im going to go PRS combo...

i was hoping for a HXD2 cos iv onwed one and loved the sound, absolutely adore the sound, but it doesnt do mp3 or ipod...

i was looking at nakamichi, but only the cd500 does mp3, and that looks like junk, and dont know how it compares to the purity of the cd700

i was looking at alpine but stopped.. theyve gone crape...

is there something im missing? hopefully i am...

fire away guys im open

[Luke352]

Probably that new Pioneer P99 or whatever it's called is probably the only unit on the market that will tick all the boxes.

[~Spyne~]

yep, P99RS should be out in Oz in about a month

[muzzy66]

As far as I know the HX-D2 and upcoming P99 are the only source units which offer 8 channels with full active processing capabilities.

Of those two, the HX-D2 lacks intruitive Ipod control, but can easilly be had for well below $2,000. Lifestyle had them not long ago for $1,550 or so (possibly still do) and there are a few going around on the second hand market for $800-$1,000.

The P99 will likely feature better Ipod control (assuming it supports Ipod - im not sure), but considering it seems to be a P90 combo merge into a single unit, I'd be surprised if it's released for under $2,000. You never now though, it's possible.

Only other option I know of is Alpine + processor, but I've used used bread-an-butter (i.e. non F1) Alpine units in the past, and I found their sonic accuracy to be a big step down from the HX-D2 (and the P90/P99 also, i'd imagine).

Edited by muzzy66, 27 April 2010 - 09:45 PM.

[Shreknos]

hrrm, thought so guys, not really much out there in terms of audiophile units is there?!

i forgot about the pioneer p99 that will be the ticket i think, depending on price, otherwise ill just get the prs...

i think the source is such a underrated part of any system, one part i dont wanna stuff up...


i would really like to use an ms-8 but i cbf instaling centre channel, although i think it would be worth it... cos of all that auto tune stuff it does on its own, is there any HUs that would work with this that have great sound and mp3? hopefully via toslink....

[muzzy66]

Shreknos, on 27 April 2010 - 09:50 PM, said:

i think the source is such a underrated part of any system

I agree

Everything starts with good, accurate electronics IMO.

People absolutely underestimate the degree to which a simple source unit can affect the tonality and accurcy of your sound. The HX-D2 has a feature which allows to you bypass the display during playback, and I shat you not the difference in sound simply by bypassing the display (or even bypassing the EQ - even if all bands are set to zero) audibly affects the tonality of the sound.

I notice there that enabling the display causes a small boost in the midrange (between 800hz-2khz somewhere) and midbass (I think around 60hz-100hz), as well as a noticable increase in distortion. All of these changes are quite subtle, but if it's quiet enough and your speakers are revealing enough it's actually easilly audible - even when the car is moving I can hear the difference. Staging also sharpens up noticably when the display is bypassed.

If simply enabling / disabling the display can have this subtle impact on tonality, then changing to a different (and inferior) head unit would be very significantly noticable.

If you have accurate, transparent amps and souce then you have a nice solid starting point for a great system

[Luke352]

Shreknos, on 27 April 2010 - 09:50 PM, said:

i would really like to use an ms-8 but i cbf instaling centre channel, although i think it would be worth it... cos of all that auto tune stuff it does on its own, is there any HUs that would work with this that have great sound and mp3? hopefully via toslink....

The MS-8 doesn't require a centre channel, the centre channel just enables it to tune for both seats, without a centre it will apparently acheive 95% of the result but only for one seat.

[Shreknos]

does anyone have any feeback and price on the nakimichi cd500? any reviews?

i think id be happy to give mp3 and ipod away for a cd700 & ms8 combo...

Edited by Shreknos, 28 April 2010 - 04:22 PM.

[HISPL]

The P99 retails for $2199 and looks like it will be an impressive performer

I don't know about the SQ, only got to play with it in a launch.

[muzzy66]

HISPL, on 28 April 2010 - 11:13 PM, said:

The P99 retails for $2199 and looks like it will be an impressive performer

I don't know about the SQ, only got to play with it in a launch.

Expected it to be around there - not bad really. Still means you should be able to get it under $2,000 with a lil' negotiating.

[data_mine]

muzzy66, on 28 April 2010 - 12:44 AM, said:

I notice there that enabling the display causes a small boost in the midrange (between 800hz-2khz somewhere) and midbass (I think around 60hz-100hz), as well as a noticable increase in distortion. All of these changes are quite subtle, but if it's quiet enough and your speakers are revealing enough it's actually easilly audible - even when the car is moving I can hear the difference. Staging also sharpens up noticably when the display is bypassed.

If simply enabling / disabling the display can have this subtle impact on tonality, then changing to a different (and inferior) head unit would be very significantly noticable.

Sounds like bad design to me.

[muzzy66]

data_mine, on 29 April 2010 - 09:33 AM, said:

Sounds like bad design to me.

Simple: less items in the signal path = less noise.

Bypassing the display circuit and EQ circuit means a shorter electrical path.

In fact, this is precisely the reason why clarion includes the option to bypass the display to begin with. I'm pretty sure the same type of differences would be noticable on any had unit with a defeatable display.

Edited by muzzy66, 29 April 2010 - 04:01 PM.

[Shreknos]

im hering mixed reviews on the SQ of the p99 overseas,

for one it has an in built power supply, and it packs all that and the processor into the little chassis, at least the hxd2 has seperate strong power supply...

i have my sights on an nak cd500 as the reviews are all glowing, but i need to know if i will have noise when integrating it with an ms-8 or a bit1

the nak bit one combo would be the best of both worlds i think, ms-8 better yet... and i could do it under budget too..

thoughts?!

[data_mine]

muzzy66, on 29 April 2010 - 03:59 PM, said:

Simple: less items in the signal path = less noise.

Bypassing the display circuit and EQ circuit means a shorter electrical path.

In fact, this is precisely the reason why clarion includes the option to bypass the display to begin with. I'm pretty sure the same type of differences would be noticable on any had unit with a defeatable display.

Why is the screen in the signal path for the audio. Sorry Pete, I'm having a hard time believing this. Either you're hearing things that aren't there, or Clarion did a half assed job in an otherwise excellent unit.

[shizzle]

indeed, I also have a hard time in beleiving a few cm's extra in path length will make any difference to the sound.
SOunds more like a Placebo ro flaw in the design to me.