Help with connecting music system

**virengoyal** · 12-26-2006, 02:18 AM

Hi Folks,

im just about to connect my car pc to the car. Ihad some questions which i would like the forums help on.

1. Firstly i presume sound quality is better out of a pc than a normal head unit because of software and dsp in winamp. now if i connect the car pc sound car to the head unit aux will i lose out on these features?

2. If i wanted to run the carpc and the hu separetly , like a switch. connect them to the amp individually and then run which ever unit i prefer is it possible. My technician informed me about some relay but i didnt figure it out. What about the amp turn on signal how does it work when you have two different units running independently?

Appreciate you help on this. May sound very basic but im new to it and would be glad to get any info on this.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Viren

**Aquaman** · 12-26-2006, 10:54 AM

Hi Viren,

I tried both: first, connecting the PC to a 4-channel + 1-channel amps bypassing the factory head unit with a switch in the gloves compartment. I used a Soundblaster Live 24 with front/rear/c-sub outputs. I did that because the factory head unit only had stereo aux input.

The problem with this configuration was when the PC hung. You had to manually locate the switch and go back to the HU, or wait with no sound for the PC to restart. Not very convenient when in the middle of the traffic, but the advantage was the ability to pass the full signal (front/rear/c-sub) from the soundblaster to the amps.

The next step was to connect the on-board output of the PC to the aux input of the HU losing CMSS and other sound processing features in the soubndblaster. I found two advantages by using the last configuration: you can use the mute button of the HU, which is very useful when receiving a call, for instance. Also, it is possible to use the sound control features of the HU on top of the software in the PC (like the EQ or volume control.) Besides, if the PC hangs, you simply go back to normal HU operation by selecting another input in the HU while the PC restarts. However, the richness of the sound was better in the first configuration.

Finally I ended up keeping the second configuration and replacing the factory HU by an aftermarket with advanced sound processing features, which in combination with the amps and the on-board sound card provides an oustanding sound.

By the way, your technician is right: the relay is required due to the power levels involved, and the number of pins to move from one side to another when switching the amp inputs from the PC to the HU. The alternative is to use an array of switches...

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-26-2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by virengoyal

1. Firstly i presume sound quality is better out of a pc than a normal head unit because of software and dsp in winamp. now if i connect the car pc sound car to the head unit aux will i lose out on these features?

This is not always the case. However, this thread is looking to solve that problem: Software options for Tuning

There are a number of factors that will determine sound quality of a PC compared to a regular HU. But that's a whole nother discussion.

btw aquaman - welcome to the forums...looks like we're right around the corner from each other here in north texas!

**virengoyal** · 12-26-2006, 01:27 PM

Thanks Aquaman and RedGT , well i have decided that i will go with connecting the sound card to the HU. I guess i need to invest in some hardware and software to get this fully running at top notch. Have only a single 4 channel amp. And i would like to get 4+1 sound. Will but another amp to run the sub independently and run the 4 speaker on my exisiting sony explode amp.

Aquaman, just hoping for a few words of comfort. Did you carpc hook up the HU give you better sound that an MP3 cd?

I look for clarity rather the volume. When i play a floyd tune would really like to experience the surround sound

thanks guys really appreciate the time and effort to help me out. Without this forum i would be still at level one with regards to a carPC.

Cheers

V

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-26-2006, 04:24 PM

like I mentioned above, a PC will not necessarially give you better sound than a typical car audio HU. In fact, in most cases, it will be worse, unless you take the necessary steps to ensure that things are done correctly.

It IS possible to have outstanding sound, sometimes better than the typical car audio stuffs can provide you with...you will just have to work a bit harder to get it currently.