21 replies to this topic

[muzzy66]

The difference is definately there. When I got the first HX-D2, I didn't really notice it to begin with because the system itself wasn't really revealing enough. As I changed my components though I noticed a subtle change, and once you become aware of it it's clear as day. Maybe a half dB change or so in the midbass and again up in the midrange - definately not dramatic, but definately audible.

I wouldn't even begin to suggest lack of design throught on Clarion's part, given that the HX-D2 is known to one of the most sonically pure head units available. Absolutely left my old Alpine 9813 for dead as far as sonic accuracy goes, an if the unit was poorly designed I doubt it'd sound as great as it does.

With your run of the mill head units you don't have an option to bypass the display - if you did have that option, it wouldn't surprise me to see it have the same affect on other units.

Of course it's possible that Clarion had to take shortcuts in the design in order to cram so much processing into a single DIN chassis (remember, the design is going on 10 years old) but given how anal Clarion seem to have been with the rest of the design, it doesn't sound like something they'd have overlooked.

As I said, a change can also be heard when you enable / disable the onboard EQ - simply bypassing that EQ circuit appears to clean up the signal noticably.

I'm no engineer so I can't expliain why it occurs, but it's definately there. If anyone else here has a HX-D2, sit in the car when it's quiet, chuck on a familliar track, and then try to enable / disable the display a few times - see if you notice it as well. I'm pretty sure I did notice it on my first unit, and I definately do on this one.

Maybe it's not even about the signal path - maybe enabling the display causes an minute increase in the voltage of the unit, which in turn impacts on the sound - again i'm no technician so I really don't know.

Edited by muzzy66, 30 April 2010 - 01:53 AM.

[sean]

I own all of the ones you mention except the pioneers ( not too partial to them... )

I like the Nak CD700 the best out of the ones you listed, No MP3 capability like you said but just hook it up to AUX and a processor and You have the best of both worlds...

CD500 although basic looks (some people prefer this as it looks more 'factory'), still up there in SQ but not in the same league as the CD700 in my opinion - allows you to change lighting options and has mp3 though.

HX-D2 - agree with what muzzy has said but I never really played around with the settings to the degree of turning off the screen.

I have the DENON DCT-Z1 in my car now , not hooked up to anything yet but hopefully it will be as good as the CD700, time will tell

[data_mine]

muzzy66, on 30 April 2010 - 01:52 AM, said:

As I said, a change can also be heard when you enable / disable the onboard EQ - simply bypassing that EQ circuit appears to clean up the signal noticably.

That's perfectly understandable. You'd expect the EQ to be in the sound path.


I'm still having a hard time understanding why (not picking on you Pete, I know how thorough you are) the function of the screen would do anything other than turn the screen on and off. Clarion implemented it for a reason, now was the reason, to provide a dark environment for night driving, or was the reason we need to turn the screen off because it induces noise/colour.

[~Spyne~]

Alpine CDA-7998R and Eclipse CD7200mkII (to name a couple) also have the ability to turn off the display, supposedly to improve the sound quality of the output. From memory (and mine's pretty ordinary at the best of times) it reduces noise in the signal path.

[muzzy66]

data_mine, on 30 April 2010 - 10:28 AM, said:

I'm still having a hard time understanding why (not picking on you Pete, I know how thorough you are) the function of the screen would do anything other than turn the screen on and off. Clarion implemented it for a reason, now was the reason, to provide a dark environment for night driving, or was the reason we need to turn the screen off because it induces noise/colour.

From memory it actually states in the manual that the purpose is to lower noise. That said, I cbb reading through the manual right now to confirm

sean, on 30 April 2010 - 08:23 AM, said:

I have the DENON DCT-Z1 in my car now

*drools*

Edited by muzzy66, 30 April 2010 - 12:30 PM.

[El-Camino]

Shreknos, on 27 April 2010 - 09:13 PM, said:

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

Eclipse CD7200Mk2 has 6 outputs but you can split 2 to make 8 (the mids). Use two xovers on your amp. Has a decent Para Eq. No need for separate processor like the Alpine

Edited by El-Camino, 11 May 2010 - 10:37 PM.

[louwen]

screen off -> more power to the pre-outs?