question for stereo guru, regarding head unit

[wwest]

Originally Posted by rnln

What you are saying is that regardless of brand and all, talking about the different between low level RCA and speaker wires level alone, there is noticeable different?

Will the result the same if the amp has both option of input, RCA and speaker wire? Will the result is still the same ?

Thanks.

An amp with 25W speaker output wire INPUT?

Suspect such an animal doesn't exist....

From strictly an engineering viewpoint there would be little reason.

Pre-amp outputs are voltage level, Maximum of ~3V typical. Speaker output are current level to drive the speaker's low impedance voice coil. Without a DC-DC voltage converter 12V, battery voltage, 24V (+/- 12V) for output "H" bridge circuit.

Speaker output levels will likely be highly distorted driving a high resistance amp input rather than a voice coil.

[rnln]

Ok, going for a short drive, sitting in the garage anyway.

rwest, wwest, and all,
Sound like wirth a try. Worst case is a day of labor.

Thanks all.

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Oh Ron, Just get better, put the top down and drive her, It's a nice high 70's out right now.

[rnln]

This an another amp I had comes with low level input (RCA) and high level input (speaker wires). On high level input, I don't know enough if the amp takes it as it is and amplify it, or take it in, then reduce it, then amp it up or if it's only a myth.

Originally Posted by wwest

An amp with speaker wire INPUT?

Suspect such an animal doesn't exist....

From strictly an engineering viewpoint there would be little reason.

Pre-amp outputs are voltage level, Maximum of ~3V typical. Speaker output are current level to drive the speaker's low impedance voice coil. Without a DC-DC voltage converter 12V, battery voltage, 24V (+/- 12V) for output "H" bridge circuit.

[Rodek]

Originally Posted by rnln

The Boss unit is on sales now and is cheap enough that I am not too worry about return, knowing their warranty policy is not so good. What I consider is the labor, don't want to swap it in, then have to swap it out again for nothing.

Strange is that long time ago, if I remember right, Boss is the higher end product (home audio). What makes them so cheap now.

Sounds like you're making the best decision for you. I respect that. Boss is entry level equipment in the car audio world. That's why you can find it for such good prices. Please keep us posted on how your system turns out.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by rnln

Well, years ago when I was younger and loved to play with car audio, I did changed head unit which experience low level RCA output and speaker wires output to amp. but I can't remember how diff in sound quality. Again, I have not touch these stuff for such a long time.

Do you mean speaker type "wires" to connect pre-amp signal to an amp or speaker output signal wires to connect to the amp?

I don't think the latter would be a wise move.

[rnln]

wwest,
no, west. What you are saying is taking the speaker wires and connect them to RCA jacks then plug them into the amp. I know this will work, but might not be good. What I meant was there are RCA inputs on the amp (low level input), and there are also wire connecter inputs on the amp. (high level input), to connect speaker wires to it. What I was saying is that I am not sure how this option (connect speaker wires directly to the high input of the amp) works internally.

[jbrown]

I have owned a car audio shop in NY for 30yrs. SoundFX. The boss line of equiupment in plane english is total JUNK. Save some extra money and you can buy a good head unit for 125.00 or so. Stay with a pioneer, alpine, or kenwood.
Hi level inputs were designed for amplifying a stock headunit with no RCA outputs. You can get decent results. The RCAs are the way to go. A standard headunit will put out about 2v. Were your better headunits put out 4v. The Boss is probably putting out about .5v and horrible quality signal also.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sound-Fx/132546535630

[rnln]

Thanks JBrrown,
With this comment, I won't want to waste my time. I guess same comment goes for those "XO, DP, ..."? They all looked the same so I assume they are the same manufacture.

For the name brand, have you seen one with an SD card?

Thanks.

[rwest]

rnin,

Check out this Blaupunkt at Crutchfield:

Blaupunkt Adelaide 130 Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com

They have others as well from many brands that are media only, no CD.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rwest

Check out this Blaupunkt at Crutchfield:

Based on jbrown's post and this Blau option for $50 more, I would skip the Boss.

Based on the very reasonable cost of head units, maybe sniff around and go all out and spend $125.

If cost is very important, search your sofa for quarters and get the $75 unit.

[rnln]

Thanks guys. Frys has a JVC, no SD card but there is a USB. I might go there tonight to see if I can listen to it.
Thanks again.

[darrin]

this may work for you too -- it's an alpine M-bus (which your existing alpine head unit appears to use) adaptor that replaces the cd changer with a sd card and usb reader that lets the alpine play mp3s . . . Yatour M bus USB Car Adapter CD player mp3 interface cd changer CDM 9825RB, CDM 9823R TDM 9501R/RM Fit Alpine-in Audio from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rnln

Frys has a JVC, no SD card but there is a USB. I might go there tonight to see if I can listen to it.
Thanks again.

Stick with the SD card functionality. Sounds like you will use it.

[rnln]

Bob kontak,
yes, cost is important on this, because I don't value the car music as much as when I'm younger anymore.

Rodek,
I went to a local store to look at the boss and other off brands. Oh mine, just the look can turn you off. Sales guys laughed when they hear I am thinking of taking those to replace my Alpine. So I finally got a JVC with USB and all preamp outputs to keep the configuration the same as it is.

guys,
Honestly, I like the look of the older type head unit better. Most of the new head unit look bulky and flashy. Also, the older type is more user friendly. On all the modern head units, it is hard to get to any feature because there are so many features now and there are much less interface. It took me a lot of tries to get to where the balance and fader are.

Thanks everyone for advices.

Originally Posted by Rodek

Sounds like you're making the best decision for you. I respect that. Boss is entry level equipment in the car audio world. That's why you can find it for such good prices. Please keep us posted on how your system turns out.