What I am after is a line driver I guess, that I can feed an 6 channel RCA signal into, have the voltage boosted and then get the exact same signal that I fed into it just boosted on the other side?? Is there a device that does this? I looked through all out AudioControl books at work can't find anything, normally AC would be my go to brand for line drivers and the like.

I can't use an MVC and I don't think the Matrix or the Overdrive will work, so I am not sure what to do.

The reason I am doing this, I am using the PXA-701, and feeding a 6 channel amp. The front out "A" is going to channels 1&2 for my horns. Output "B" is being split into L & R and being fed into channel 3&4 for Left Midbass and 5&6 for Right midbass, but since I am running the amp bridged I have to split the RCA signal. Given that the PXA is such a noisy beast I would prefer the RCA voltage be as high as possible into the amps to ensure zero noise.

I would imagine a lot of active crossovers and processors could also act as line drivers too

at the most, you would just need a 2-channel LD, right? feed the outputs from the PXA into the LD, boost it, then split the 2 outputs from the LD into 4.

personally, i don't see the benefit. the LD will only amplify any noise. and it adds another 'link' in the chain of connections, which potentially means signal degradation.

if you happen to want 6 channels of LD, then you could use 3x 2-channel versions.

Your probably right Rich. I guess it will be a try it and see situation.

I so wish this car was finished, its getting closer now, however there is still much to do; its becoming a way over complicated system.

You're going to boost the noise. Not a great option. What have you got, and what do you need? I'm sure we'll be able to help you sort it out.

As for a line driver, Tru Tech makes one just for you. 6 Channels, in either steel or copper.

Thanks Matt, I have a full system ready to go.

As for what I have, I have the Alpine IVA-D300 and PXA-701EQ, all with optical connection
1x Audio System 6 channel amp for the front stage active
2x Audio System 2 channels for the subs
Set of ID CD2 horns
Pair of ID X65 midbass
4 ID 12" IDQ woofers (yes, I know this is heaps for an SQ system, hence the dual amps, I can then turn off a pair of subs.)

I was just concerned about possible noise being induced into the system with splitting the RCA's. Unfortunately Honda's have a habit of being a very noisy car for audio installations. Given, that I am using custom made length RCA's I need to have everything laid out and organised so the alloy amp racks can be welded in the correct lengths, and I have so little room left, I don't want to find out once its all finished I need to added another box or processor.

I believe Pulse-R has a 6ch Phoenix Gold line driver available in his FS thread.

Your not going to get noise from the Digital line, so your only problem would be (potentially) from the 701 to the amps. If you have the 701 sitting pretty much right on top of, or next to, the inputs, so that your RCA's will only be 10-15cm long, I dont see how you would be able to get any induced noise (noisy car or otherwise). The only real noise will be from each of the actual devices, and a line driver will only amplify that, not eliminate it.

Because you have such high efficiency drivers, being fed with a fairly decent voltage input into an amp with a good gain stage, I think you'll find that if you get a LD, its gain will be turned down all the way anyhow, negating its use altogether (simple passthrough circuit). Turning the gain up on the LD, will require you turn the gain down on the amps, just to even remotely prevent the horns from overtaking the midbass. In this case, your amps will, in effect, not be adding any gain to the system at all in this instance (the purpose of them to begin with!!).

In short, get a LD and your negating the need for the amp (basically) on your horns because of the efficiency. Either that, or your simply using the LD with unit gain (passthrough) without actually amplifying any signals, negating the use of the LD.

Best option for you is to simply have the 701 so damn close to the amps, your RCA's will be pretty much a hard connection, and not require an LD. If you still have detectable noise, its from the devices, not the transmission (one of the downsides of having horns - you need top notch devices in the system!!)

nah, it's a 2-ch.

but Clint, why do you say the PXA is noisy? Are you using the analog inputs???
If so, then a good Analogue to digital converter is your solution. then feed the digital into the PXA. that works 100%

call me if you want to chat about options there.

Hi TEGBOY;

Another idea for you

After hunting around for an EQ for my set-up, I'm now looking at a Zapco DSP6-SL processor -

http://www.zapco.com/prod/DC_Ref/DSP_DRC_Frame.htm

It seems like a great little unit, I'd be mainly using it for the 10-band Parametric EQ per channel, and also time alignment, not to mention an active sub channel. It will also give me the option of running an active front stage in the future...

I thought it might interest you for various reasons:

* Optical digital in

* Input sensitivity and output gain adjustments

* 6 completely independantly configurable channels

You could use one pair of channels to run your horns, and ramp up the output gains on the remaining 4 channels, then run them as pairs to your front stage.

The disadvantages:

* For your set-up, there wouldn't be a final set of outputs to run your subs, if you were going to use the DSP6-SL as your sole processor. You would have to use the LP filter on your amp for the subs, or run 2 DSP6-SLs!

* You've got to use Symbilink-to-RCA convertors as the unit only accepts Symbilink inputs/outputs.

* The final problem is trying to find one - I don't know that they're available locally at all, and from the US they're about US$1100!

I missed one out on US eBay for half that price a few weeks ago, so it's worth keeping an eye out.

The DSP is top to bottom a lovely unit. I'd pick it over the 701 any day of the week. That, and the new Audison Bit-one are both catering to the higher end of the market. Top Stuff.

Only problem is, Clints already got the 701, and I would doubt he wants to change now....

Thanks for the advise, I am looking very strongly at getting rid of the 701. I am looking at the AudioControl DQXS, as its a brand I can get through work, and I know I can get support for it.

The Zapco is a very tasty piece of work, the cost really doesn't concern me too much.

THe only thing I will miss from the Alpine is the intergration and the T/A, as with horns T/A can be very helpful in tuning.

Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't know what to do now

Yeah, it's kinda odd that AudioControl have never incorporated TA in to any of their processing units.

The Zapco unit does have TA, as I'm sure the Audison Bit1 will.

The Zapco unit had been around since 2006, but has mostly stayed off the radar, prob due to its cost. Even on the US forums, there are only a handful of people running it, with only good things to say.

Apparently, Zapco have a DSP8 in the works, which will allow for an active 3-way front stage + sub duties, but I wouldn't expect to see it any time before 2010!

$120 or so for a good ADC, then optical into the PXA - no noise

I agree with Simon, if your concerned about noise, a few dollars and a few mods and you should be laughing.

Comparison between the DQXS and the DSP6-SL though, is really no competition. The DSP6-SL is light-years ahead of the AC in terms of tuning ability......

I will give it a go. Thanks guys