Has anyone gotten good sound out of a MII w/ not HU?

**boostedGT-S** · 05-14-2005, 09:11 PM

Hey,
I'm going directly from the VIA MII audio output to my factory amps RCA input. Right now it sounds pretty bad, It has no bass response and it's really loud, sometimes even distorted. I have to set the volume at about 10% and it's still pretty loud.

I would really like to use the onboard sound to save power and space. If i buy one of those cheap ebay car equalizers could i get a decent sound or should i just get a PCI audio card? I dont think i want to go USB since my M1-ATX PSU can't handle much.I was also thinking about a PCMCIA Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, since i'm not using my PCMCIA slot.

Suggestions? I really don't want to use a HU either.

thanks!

**-zip-** · 05-14-2005, 09:29 PM

The Via MII sound is horrible. You dont think your PSU can't handle another 2-2.5 amps on the 5v line?

**boostedGT-S** · 05-14-2005, 09:35 PM

I'm sure it could but i would rather save it for something else if possible. I have nothing else to compare it to so if the sound is really that bad I guess I would just have to go USB.
thanks

**stevieg** · 05-14-2005, 09:40 PM

I am using the MII onboard sound. It sounds pretty good connected to my aftermarket amplifier. It's not going to win any competitions but it's certainly not horrible, and I don't have the problems you have either. For comparison it's *much* better than the factory MP3 unit, using the same speakers.

The Audigy 2 ZS is a good option through really you need an expensive sound system to make best use of it, I would only get one once I'd upgraded everything factory and wanted to get head-unit thrashing sound out of it.

**boostedGT-S** · 05-15-2005, 01:33 PM

What audio program are you using? are you using any equalizers?
My car sounded really good with the stock HU. That's all I really have to compare it too. It doesn sound near as stock.

**stevieg** · 05-15-2005, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by boostedGT-S

What audio program are you using? are you using any equalizers?
My car sounded really good with the stock HU. That's all I really have to compare it too. It doesn sound near as stock.

I am not using any different settings on the sound card. Everything is close to default. It works fine with any program I use.

**thanatos106** · 05-15-2005, 02:16 PM

I agree with steveg..............I'm also using MII onboard and the sound is good compare with stock radio.

**-zip-** · 05-15-2005, 09:00 PM

PCMCIA is a good idea!

Guess it's just me but the on board sound was Tinny crackly and had very little options to improve on it.

**stevieg** · 05-16-2005, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by -zip-

PCMCIA is a good idea!

Guess it's just me but the on board sound was Tinny crackly and had very little options to improve on it.

I wouldn't agree with tinny/crackly but it's not perfect, and doesn't have much to tweak it... However it does sound good just not in the same leauge as the audigy et al!

**nadir_s** · 05-16-2005, 05:34 AM

for the distorted sound, try this:

http://www.cardomain.com/item/SCOFAI3

had the same problem when interfacing my new aftermarket headunit with stock bose speakers/amps. That did the trick.