adding DTS Dolby to my audio setup

**lawrence** · 10-31-2004, 11:38 PM

Ok here is my dilemma,
I am tiring to finish up my audio install, it all seems to sound good but I think that I can make it sound better. That said here is where I am at so far……. See base.zip

At this point I need to install some type of level control before the amps, as my fader and balance control are unable to account for the different efficiencies of speakers. I am running each channel from the head unit to a Y-splitter into a four channel amp. I am using two four channel amps, one for the left and one for the right. I am not sure if I need to use four adjustable line drivers or some sort of a unit for level control, like a mixer box for audio recording.

This I will need to figure out before continuing with the next step of my install, a Dolby DTS processor with an optical input. As far as running the head unit into the DTS unit, I think I will need to run the analog from the HU into the 2 channel input of the DTS unit. I am unsure if I will need to combine the front left and rear left into on cable, and the right front and right rear into the other. Or just use the front L&R and leave the fader all the way forward. Then as for the sub out, do I just leave it disconnected as I don’t have any way to turn it off in the head unit?

So this is what I have come up with for the integration of the DTS processor with my current system…. See DTS.zip

I don’t know if someone may have a fresh idea as to what I may need to complete this. If anyone has seen a better way to control the amp levels then line drivers or a better way to interface my DTS unit with my HU. I would be so grateful. Below is a diagram of my components connections for a reference. ….. see connections.zip
I have also included a basic layout of speaker locations in my van …. See van.zip

**lawrence** · 11-01-2004, 01:25 AM

bump -- any ideas , will the line drivers work?

**jontheinstaller** · 11-01-2004, 01:59 AM

buy a sound card with 5.1 and optical out in it

**lawrence** · 11-01-2004, 05:56 PM

already have a optical output on my pc and a dts pross.

**jcdillin** · 11-01-2004, 06:01 PM

is there some reason you want to keep the HU?

**lawrence** · 11-01-2004, 06:24 PM

pc does not seem to get fm very well hu work better.
it is easy to control volume, fader,balance,ect.

**jcdillin** · 11-01-2004, 06:39 PM

Yeah that makes sense. I would just hook the 2 fronts from the HU and leave it faded forward least for the FM, does the DTS proc let you controll balance and such?

**lawrence** · 11-01-2004, 06:45 PM

any thoughts on using line drivers to control speaker gain ?

**jcdillin** · 11-01-2004, 06:47 PM

I have to look around but i seem to remember seeing something that you could use to adjust them all in one unit, that seems kinda silly to have to install 4 diffrent line drivers.