posted
Right now, I am running my system off of my stock GM head unit. I have MB Quart Referenz Stealth Coax's in the doors and dash of my truck. I am looking to spend around $300 to upgrade my stereo system and was looking at two options. 1) Replace the head unit with a high power one. 2) Buy a 4-ch amp to run the speakers (looking at RF 200@4-400@4-600@4) using the stock head unit. I was wondering which would give me better sound quality, to give the speakers the power they need, or to replace the head with a better one. Also, how much difference would it make in my sub (RF DVC12) in sound quality between the stock head and the aftermarket one? I plan on completing both options later, just wondering which would sound better in between.
Here is my main choice.
Kenwood X-811 CD receiver vs. RF 200@4(run 2 ohm, bi-wire Musicomp x-overs) and Alpine ERE-G190 (eq/x-over/sub proc has speaker level inputs)
Both will run about $400. Opinions?? Other options?
------------------ Shedluv No matter what it says, I'll always be just a junior.
"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
[This message has been edited by Shedluv (edited 07-14-99).]
posted
Ok. At this point you will be best served with a new deck. You already have your sub amp in place, why not give it the correct signal? Your stock deck, no matter how "high end" the dealer may tell you it is, isn't. I think your going to be better off with just about ANY aftermarket high power deck. I just hope your not running passive crossover's off deck power. I should say, I hope your only running tweeter caps off deck power, that's about all a deck can handle.
------------------ If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway... members.tripod.com/Audiophyle
Posts: 3120 | From: nowhere | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Replace the deck. An aftermarket one will have at least as much power as the factory one, probably more. It also makes it easier to add an amp in the future.
Or better yet.... How about a little cheaper CD and a 100a2 or 150a2??? You could run just the fronts and let the CD run the rears (my preference) or run the amp to all and have no fader.
And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
[This message has been edited by Dukk (edited 07-18-99).]
posted
What I would do: Do the deck now. I doubt it will get much if any louder though, Delco decks have been using mosfet output IC's for a few years now. SQ will go up some. Superior CD audio section, Am Fm will probably be no better though. Doing the amp now will make it a lot louder immeadiately though, with sq. What do you want? Big increase in sound volume with some quality or the logical thing, the deck so the system is ready for serious SQ when the amp comes later.
posted
how much difference does the deck really make?
yes I know the $1500 + McIntosh deck and out board D/A are amazing but I've seen many systems with mid level decksb ($300-400) but amazing amps and speakers ($1000's).
Most new decks have 4volt + output now so the amp shouldn't be starving for current. Are the electronics, D/A, internal wiring, tuner sections that greatly improved in high end decks? I figure that spending money on kick panels and decent amps will improve SQ more.
I have a mid level Clarion and was demoing the new Sony C90 and didn't notice that much difference. A bit better but definitely not justifying the huge surcharge.
posted
Yes, until you get to a certain point, you can make vast improvements in your system for very little money. Once you've reached a certain point, however, the price to make the smallest difference can be enormous. I spent 1500.00 on my Nak cd-700 just to "warm up" my midbass. It worked! A noticable difference, not only in the ear, but on the meter also. Yes, the high end stuff makes a difference, but only when everything else in your system can perform as well as your high end deck can. Kind of like the weakest link theory. The weakest link in the chain is the one that breaks, or in our case, the weakest link is what your entire system sounds like.
------------------ If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway... members.tripod.com/Audiophyle
Posts: 3120 | From: nowhere | Registered: May 1999
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