head unit or no head unit... that is the question - Page 3

Methodic Virus · 06-26-2007, 01:44 AM

+1 Pro-HU

A Computer can NEVER be flawless... Things happen, a fuse might blow that prevents your computer to turn on and all you would have it silence if you didnt have a Radio. Things happen for a reason. It kinda suxs in the computer world (ticks (pist) me off plenty)... So non-the less, always have a Backup Plan. As me being a Computer Technician, I always backup my computer to an external HDD... Its always better "Safe than Sorry"...

bambam · 06-26-2007, 05:37 AM

I installed a Panasonic CQ-C9901U HU along with my carpc and am very happy I did. My preference is for both...

Just my $0.02...

Nola111 · 06-26-2007, 10:06 AM

I'll repeat that it depends on your setup. I have a HU, but only because I have to. If I didn't need it, I wouldn't use one. But everything sounds great and it's hidden in my glovebox, so I'm not complaining.

FusionFanatic · 06-26-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Nola111

I'll repeat that it depends on your setup. I have a HU, but only because I have to. If I didn't need it, I wouldn't use one. But everything sounds great and it's hidden in my glovebox, so I'm not complaining.

I'm curious as to why you feel you "need" to have a head unit?

it doesn't really depend "on your setup", it simply depends on personal preference, that's all. nobody "needs" one or the other. what people have is "wants". some people may want surround sound that requires a direct sound card -to- amplifier connection, and some people "want" soild reliable audio control that is separate from the PC. others want a clean OEM look with a single interface (no head unit). others may want hardware-based volume and equalizer control. others may want more advanced sound/equalization control only achievable through a computer. and the list goes on and on...

in the end it all comes down to personal preference (basically which pros and cons are more important to you). there is no one-size-fits-all method. the poll is simply there to see what is the most popular / most preferred.

and BTW, as of right now, the pro-HU side is winning again! woo-hoo!

Methodic Virus · 06-30-2007, 04:29 AM

31-30... SWEET... I was even thinking of adding TWO HU's... One primarily just for the sound of the Computer on seperate speakers for Hardware Based Volume control, and the other if I want to listen to standard radio... Or if i want to do both, have volume for my Computer and listen to the radio while I'm driving, because simply put, Its safer to have a HU when you are driving because you wont have to concentrate on looking at the computer screen to change stations or songs or whatever...
I was thinking of having 8.1 Surround Sound. If not probably just 7.1

-1 In Drivers Door
-1 In Passangers Door
-2 Tweeters in each corner near Windshield.
-1 Front Center Speaker
-2 Rear Deck Speakers
-1 Rear Center Speaker

-1 Subwoofer (Probably just a 12" Sub with a 1200 Watt AudioBahn AMP for sub, and a 700Watt AMP for Highs)

FusionFanatic · 07-15-2007, 07:12 PM

so far, this poll has shown that it's pretty much head to head. it's not 90% to 10%, it's almost 50% to 50%.

FusionFanatic · 07-21-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Methodic Virus

I was even thinking of adding TWO HU's... One primarily just for the sound of the Computer on seperate speakers for Hardware Based Volume control, and the other if I want to listen to standard radio...

sounds like a cool idea, but would probably prove to be very impractical. it would also make for an "unclean" looking dash (although I suppose if the head units were the same model then it would look ok)

Quote: Originally Posted by Methodic Virus

simply put, Its safer to have a HU when you are driving because you wont have to concentrate on looking at the computer screen to change stations or songs or whatever...

true, but one could also hook steering wheel controls or dash/console mounted pushbuttons to a keyboard emulator (or a hacked USB gamepad) to control the computer without actually looking at the screen.

isamu · 08-06-2007, 07:33 AM

I am in the middle of putting together my system, and I have opted to get rid of the head unit. Reason being, I'll be using the Alpine PXA-H701/RUX C-701 combo, plus I want to avoid potential alternator whine from running RCA cables from a HU to the speaker amp. Don't listen to the radio and don't care about a CD player so screw the HU. All my tunes are on the HDD

SKiTLz · 08-06-2007, 05:58 PM

None of you Pro HU guys feel like your LOSING quality?

Initially i was going to run AUX into my Pioneer 880PRS. No slouch of a HU. But i just couldn't get over the idea in my head that the AUX in was poor SQ. I've since purchased a X-Meridian Sound Card with BurrBrown OPAmps that I plan to run into my amps directly.

Im a firm believer in the more things you pass through, the more molested the signal gets. Hence why im not going to run through my headunit. I dont think.

turbocad6 · 08-06-2007, 06:48 PM

with a 701 alpine processor there is no loss of quality at all with a headunit, & there is no running rca's from the dash to the rear anymore with that setup either, when the pc is selected as source, it's exactly the same as if there was no head unit really, optical into the 701, then rca's out to the amps, the processor can go in the rear close to the amps, so rf pickup on the analog side is nil, head unit does not come into play at all at that point either.

skitlz, what would you be using to process the audio? unless your really going to go off & do all processing & x-overs on the pc then you will not really get audiophile sound quality no matter how "pure" your original signal is, because the car environment will totally destroy all thoughts of just amplifying a "pure" signal. think of car audio like a fun house mirror, the end result looks nothing like the subject matter represented, & you have to alter & fine tune the original signal so the end result looks like the intended original signal, this would be the equivelent of making your head & legs supper skinny & your waist huge so the reflection in the funhouse mirror looks like the original image should for example.

there is a lot of signal manipulation needed just to repair the damage a car environment does to the audio,31 band 1/3 octave eq'ing is pretty much manditory to fine tune a system well enough to make the car invisable to audio reproduction, doing this on the pc is no light task

isamu · 08-06-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by turbocad6

with a 701 alpine processor there is no loss of quality at all with a headunit, & there is no running rca's from the dash to the rear anymore with that setup either, when the pc is selected as source, it's exactly the same as if there was no head unit really, optical into the 701, then rca's out to the amps, the processor can go in the rear close to the amps, so rf pickup on the analog side is nil, head unit does not come into play at all at that point either.

skitlz, what would you be using to process the audio? unless your really going to go off & do all processing & x-overs on the pc then you will not really get audiophile sound quality no matter how "pure" your original signal is, because the car environment will totally destroy all thoughts of just amplifying a "pure" signal. think of car audio like a fun house mirror, the end result looks nothing like the subject matter represented, & you have to alter & fine tune the original signal so the end result looks like the intended original signal, this would be the equivelent of making your head & legs supper skinny & your waist huge so the reflection in the funhouse mirror looks like the original image should for example.

there is a lot of signal manipulation needed just to repair the damage a car environment does to the audio,31 band 1/3 octave eq'ing is pretty much manditory to fine tune a system well enough to make the car invisable to audio reproduction, doing this on the pc is no light task

Good post turbo. Let me ask you.... when my installation shop guy begins to install the 701, will he need to spend time EQ'ing the unit in order to get the sound right? What if he is not familiar with the unit at all? Are there presets for beginners within the unit that he or I can select that will do the job for me?

SKiTLz · 08-06-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by turbocad6

with a 701 alpine processor there is no loss of quality at all with a headunit, & there is no running rca's from the dash to the rear anymore with that setup either, when the pc is selected as source, it's exactly the same as if there was no head unit really, optical into the 701, then rca's out to the amps, the processor can go in the rear close to the amps, so rf pickup on the analog side is nil, head unit does not come into play at all at that point either.

skitlz, what would you be using to process the audio? unless your really going to go off & do all processing & x-overs on the pc then you will not really get audiophile sound quality no matter how "pure" your original signal is, because the car environment will totally destroy all thoughts of just amplifying a "pure" signal. think of car audio like a fun house mirror, the end result looks nothing like the subject matter represented, & you have to alter & fine tune the original signal so the end result looks like the intended original signal, this would be the equivelent of making your head & legs supper skinny & your waist huge so the reflection in the funhouse mirror looks like the original image should for example.

there is a lot of signal manipulation needed just to repair the damage a car environment does to the audio,31 band 1/3 octave eq'ing is pretty much manditory to fine tune a system well enough to make the car invisable to audio reproduction, doing this on the pc is no light task

Ok the 701 definately meets your argument.. But its another ball game again.. What about folks (like myself) with just a HU like a 880PRS. I just don't believe the AUX in (1v MAX) can deliver good sound.

Cutrara · 08-06-2007, 09:17 PM

I have a HU because, I had it and don't feel like rewiring now. Maybe next summer if I even have the same car.

RedGTiVR6 · 08-06-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by isamu

Good post turbo. Let me ask you.... when my installation shop guy begins to install the 701, will he need to spend time EQ'ing the unit in order to get the sound right? What if he is not familiar with the unit at all? Are there presets for beginners within the unit that he or I can select that will do the job for me?

Someone will need to. It will not set its self for you.

As for the question about aux in...have you TRIED it yet skiltz? Audio is funny like that...you never know if you're happy with it till you actually listen to it...

I KNOW I'm not happy with onboard analogue sound, others here are perfectly happy with it. I KNOW I'm not happy with it because I tried it...even ran it through a 7 band EQ on the first CarPC I did a few years ago. Was NEVER happy with it. But then again, if I had been happy with it I don't think I would have pushed my system to the point I've pushed it to now and continue to push it to...

SKiTLz · 08-06-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

Someone will need to. It will not set its self for you.

As for the question about aux in...have you TRIED it yet skiltz? Audio is funny like that...you never know if you're happy with it till you actually listen to it...

I KNOW I'm not happy with onboard analogue sound, others here are perfectly happy with it. I KNOW I'm not happy with it because I tried it...even ran it through a 7 band EQ on the first CarPC I did a few years ago. Was NEVER happy with it. But then again, if I had been happy with it I don't think I would have pushed my system to the point I've pushed it to now and continue to push it to...

No im defaintely guilty of that. Everything i buy i try research to buy the best on PAPER. Doesn't always turn out that way.. Your right, i need to get my CarPC in and play.

I think ultimately though I will go HU less. Im running Passive crossovers so don't need TA. I dont see the point in running signal from the trunk to the front then front to trunk..