connecting carpc to audio system

ArcticGenes · 07-31-2005, 01:04 PM

I recently installed a carpc into my glovebox using the MII12k. My audio system consists of polk momo fronts, kappa rears, kappa subs, kenwood amps, and a premier HU. The systems sounds awesome and plays cds more then loud enough. The carpc plug into aux in through a 1/8 to rca cable and so far has given sound that i'm happy with. Lately though i've been reading though posts on this site and i'm starting to second guess my setup. The question I have is whether its worth the cost to buy any kind of usb audio processor? The premier deck doesn't have digital IN, and i'm not going to give up (3) 6.5v pre outs in order to switch to a deck with digital in, so I would be using the same rca inputs. Thanks in advance for the advice.

LESLIEx317537 · 07-31-2005, 01:29 PM

It's really preference.
Some people watch movies and like 5.1 setups.

If you add digital sound, sometimes that can make the sound clearer. The source and where it amplifies it stays constant since the signal is digitized and then decoded near the amps.

I too started with a headunit with aux in. And ran my soundcard to it. I later got a USB soundcard, then another USB soundcard with 5.1 and connected that to my amps without a Headunit.
Now I got a 5.1 DSP processor and run optical into that and that routes to my amps.

What do you like about the 6.5v preamp outs so much?

Your MII12K has a Spdif coaxial out, so you can hook that up to a DSP processor like mine and ditch your headunit if you want.

lookinco · 07-31-2005, 01:56 PM

Which DSP are you using? How do you compare the sound quality between soundcard -> amps and carputer -> DSP -> amps?

LESLIEx317537 · 07-31-2005, 03:43 PM

I'm using the KEF KP-5.1 DTS Decoder.
I think it sounds better and gives me more options. Also does upmixing for line in.

I also now can have the volume at lower levels without having that problem of having 1% master volume to loud, and 0% non-hearable.

ArcticGenes · 07-31-2005, 04:56 PM

the 6.5v gives me a very clean signal thus alllowing me to turn the gain on my amps down and reduce distortion at higher volumes. The idea of ditching the stereo had crossed my mind, but then i would rely solely on the carputer for my music, and as of yet it is not 100% stable. The nice thing about having the HU is that volume control and eq changes require do not require me to remove my eyes from the road since I have the control button memorized. If the touchscreen had someway of feeling the buttons then I could learn it, but currently i have to look in order to do anything.

LESLIEx317537 · 07-31-2005, 05:04 PM

Well, with digital your signal will be super clean.

Also Volume control is nothing...
My DSP has a long wire and a external volume control that mounted nicely into a stock button spot.
I also have the USB Griffin Powermate knob, it's silver and glows brighter blue as your turn the volume up. It has the feel of a high quality stereo home theater knob. I have it mute when you press it in.
I also have a IR remote that I can use to change volume.
Or I can use my touchscreen.

ArcticGenes · 07-31-2005, 05:52 PM

how much was your dsp?

ArcticGenes · 07-31-2005, 06:01 PM

will the cost be justified if i don't have a 5.1 setup?

LESLIEx317537 · 07-31-2005, 06:25 PM

My DSP was $360 shipped from Hong Kong 3 day.

If you don't care about 5.1 then just run it regular stereo. You will have more options then.

Your probably better off just placing a nice USB soundcard by your amps like the NX2 and route the 1/8th to RCA's to the amps bypassing your headunit.

So the sound only has to travel analog like from the soundcard to the amps which will pick up less interference etc..Also one usb cable to the rear is easier to wire that RCA's.