Car pc for competition use?

**DTS** · 11-14-2006, 12:08 AM

Hello all,

I've been reading through pages and pages of threads and have come up with more questions than answers as a result. Every now and then I really start to think that using my Pioneer Carozerria gear or an Alpine system with an Ipod adapter would be so much easier and less headache, but I love a challenge and computers.

I would like to build a carpc as a source unit for my upcoming install. My primary reason is for a music library, then nav, etc. I do need an indash cd drive however and that's where one of my problems arise.

I have no worries about building the pc, I've built several SFF pcs before and have no issues with that. However, I'm in need of specs and they seem hard to find. I'd like to use a slot loading laptop disc drive, but I need one with a high S/N ratio, hopefully over 100dB.

Second, I'm planning on using a pair of Rockford 360.2 processors, which only have analog inputs. I'm working on having these units modified to accept digital ins, if possible. In either case, I'll need a high end sound card whose primary function in life is the best possible sonic reproduction. I've read several threads with dozens of suggestions, but I'm hoping for a very short list of the no-holds barred approach.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

**GoHybrid** · 11-14-2006, 02:29 AM

you might want to look through the sticky in the car audio section about amps with optical inputs. I figure if you want the best sound reproduction from a digital source, your best bet is to keep it digital all the way out to the amps. This can be a pricey way to go no doubt, but if you're running TOSlink or some other optical format you'll be immune to noise and loss through those lines.

As far as sound out from the computer goes... digital is digital. frequency response out is exactly what you put in, so all you need to do is find a sound card that has the optical output to go to the amps. As far as adjusting the sound, I think you should be looking at whether or not a software based EQ would suit you better than a hardware EQ or vice versa.

For the best sound quality you might investigate what recording studios use... so places like guitar center or musician's friend (if they're still around) would have some leads for high end computer audio equipment.

Just my thoughts.

**scott_fx** · 11-14-2006, 02:32 AM

you have a lot of reading to do. what you want isn't impossible nor is it hard. As far as the slot loaidn disc drive, i'm not sure if s/n ratio even applies but i'll bow down for someone else to confirm this. i believe red has asked this question before. so it should be only a search away. For a high end sound card you have a lot of options. echo, m-audio, e-mu etc. then you have dacs (that is what i'm using)... again...lots of reading. your best option would be going digital into that if you can fugure out how to do it. unfortunately there are no short lists... well besides the alpine pxa-h701 and the h9000 (i think that is the model #)

**DTS** · 11-14-2006, 08:07 AM

Thanks for the replies thusfar!

Gohybrid:

I've already got my amps sitting here, they have analog inputs. I'm not concerned about the signal transfer being analog between the amps and the processors, they're right next to one another in a "quiet" area of the vehicle.

Scottfx:

I've got my processors here, and have a couple Pio ODR and Carozerria procs sitting around if I end up needing to go that route. The Rockford units are very slick pieces and far more flexible than anything else on the market, at least when a pair is used. I know at retail that would be about $1200 and a person could pick up a 701 ( which has its issues and noise problems) or a used F#1 piece or ODR units.

There's just too many options, it's overwhelming and times running out for me!

**durwood** · 11-14-2006, 08:46 AM

Hahaha. Yes many options. REDGTIVR6 and I both compete in SQ contests and do very well with a computer. The Alpine PXA-H701 is fabulous when using digital input. No noise at all. I think as far as useful features you are better off with the Alpine over the Rockford in my opinion. Here are some threads you should read:

Ultimate USB, Firewire, External Soundcard List

Processor Options

DACs

CD drives

FAQ: What is Bit-Perfect?

**Wamphyri** · 11-14-2006, 09:06 AM

Carozerria? Are you in Japan? Carozerria is the Japanese version of Pioneer... Haven't heard that name in a long time.

**RedGTiVR6** · 11-14-2006, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by GoHybrid

you might want to look through the sticky in the car audio section about amps with optical inputs. I figure if you want the best sound reproduction from a digital source, your best bet is to keep it digital all the way out to the amps. This can be a pricey way to go no doubt, but if you're running TOSlink or some other optical format you'll be immune to noise and loss through those lines.

The amplifiers in that list are mostly 5.1 amps and aren't of competition grade. you can keep it digital all you want, but it's the D/As that make the difference. In those amps, the D/As aren't bad, by any means, but they also aren't excelent quality either.

As far as sound out from the computer goes... digital is digital. frequency response out is exactly what you put in, so all you need to do is find a sound card that has the optical output to go to the amps.

This isn't 100% true, though it's very close.

The quality of the CD player WILL have an effect on SQ. The wow and flutter that a CD player can cause will produce a lot of jitter. Higher quality = less jitter typically. This is why I started a thread dedicated to this question, but I realized that I was dealing with people who lived in a digital world only so I took teh thread elsewhere.

As far as adjusting the sound, I think you should be looking at whether or not a software based EQ would suit you better than a hardware EQ or vice versa.

The thought is a good one, however, it hasn't been implemented yet. We have an entire thread dedicated towards software for tuning going on right now.

**RedGTiVR6** · 11-14-2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by durwood

Hahaha. Yes many options. REDGTIVR6 and I both compete in SQ contests and do very well with a computer. The Alpine PXA-H701 is fabulous when using digital input. No noise at all. I think as far as useful features you are better off with the Alpine over the Rockford in my opinion. Here are some threads you should read:

Ultimate USB, Firewire, External Soundcard List

Processor Options

DACs

CD drives

FAQ: What is Bit-Perfect?

another good one: can a carputer compete with a head unit for sound quality?

there are so many on here it's hard to remember them all!

**FyreDaug** · 11-14-2006, 05:12 PM

I would prefer a carpc for competition use, more flexibility and software options, plus everything is upgradable, not just dropping another 800 on a new head unit when it comes out

**XC-C30** · 11-14-2006, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by FyreDaug

I would prefer a carpc for competition use, more flexibility and software options, plus everything is upgradable, not just dropping another 800 on a new head unit when it comes out

well, at one point you may have to upgrade everything, and that, eventually might cost even more than that new HU.... But yes, I too prefer a carpc for the matter of flexibility.