So basically, given the lack of products that work (ie, Alpine D550 needs a HU, so does the ODR by the sounds of it, others have discontinued) and either a "sorry, we dont have that any more" response, or no response at all.... regarding "remaining stock/etc"....
It comes down to this: there aren't any current options for an amp that accept a digital signal, using either Optical or Coax...
I can't believe this.
So basically the only options
currently, are
- a 1/4" mini-jack -> RCA adapter, and RCA "splitter" or Y cables. (effectively just stereo sound) into a 4+ channel amp.
- a USB/Firewire/PCI/etc sound card with RCA's running to a 4+ channel amp
- optical/coax digital to an external Decoder/EQ with 6channel RCA -> amp(s)
does that somewhat accurate?
the closest anything seems to be, to the ideal product, is that Pioneer Decoder (DEQ-P7650) that does 50x5 (MAX?) as well as 6channel RCA out.. anyone know what its RMS is? im not after "boom boom boom". I'll leave that to 17 year olds in <insert local typical car with stereo 3x price of car here >... I just want decent quality sound, and the flexibility of a carputer.
i briefly considered the alpine deck with touch-screen ipod control (to use with a D550 over optical) but at $AU2000 its a bit steep, given what it does (or doesnt do, actually)...
Am i missing anything, or is that a pretty depiction of the current state of affairs??