optical output for stereo only?

Hi guys.

I have been searching this and other forums for the answer:

Who makes a Head Unit with digital output that will do standard 2-channel sound? I don't want 5.1 channel, I want to try to create ultra-hi-fi in my car using a high-end DAC to my Zapco.  Most of the 'experts' I have talked to say either 'why would you want to do that?' or ' you can only get multi-channel from the digital output of car stereos'. I know back in the day all Sony CD disc changers had an optical output, and it worked great for this application.

Any suggestions?

So, does anyone have FIRST HAND experience with getting two-channel output from a HU's digital output?

Every 'salesman' I have spoken to is clueless. The Pioneer rep and the Eclipes rep both said there is no such thing as 2channel from digital ouput in car stereo. I know they are sadly mistaken, but I don't know which decks offer this feature.

I am looking for HIGH FIDELITY from the least amount of parts in the signal path:

HU > DAC > 4 channel Zapco > Morel separates front and rear

HU > Subout > Zapco Mono > .577Q sub

...oh, and here is the DAC I plan to use:

http://www.onhifi.com/product/perpetualtech_p3a.htm

You are probably right: I am going down a path of the past, and it will not be an 'off-the-shelf' solution, I'm sure. My goal is to get the most liquid midrange possible inside my car. I have extensive technical background in acoustics, Psycho-acoustics, Passive filter therory, High-end loudspeaker design, etc... this is not a 'guessing' project for me, as I know the net results I can possible achive in such an environment (car). That being said, I have done the same thing with my Home Audio system: I am able to get $ 3,400.00 CD sound from my $369.00 DVD player and a used PT $ 249.00 DAC. I want to get the same 'economies of sound' in the car, as much as possible. I personally find 95% of all car stereo to be a real mess when it comes to Phase Linearity, and Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM) , and worst of all, JITTER!

. All the rest of the specs are just ink on paper, and can be manipulated for marketing reasons, so to me they are meaningless.

I just want that massive image 'bloom' you get with real high-end components, and I think I can do it if I find the right head unit, DC/AC convertor, regulated balanced AC/DC power supply,  DAC, Amp, speakers, and all the right cables to get the Timber balanced. I have the DAC, Amp, and speakers already.

theres another option.

go check out mp3car.com

install a car pc, alot of motherboards come with either optical digital or analog digital output.

if not you can add a soundcard to it that has an optical out

google is your best bet.

i have searched for something like that ong time ago and found a few units that have that capacity

but they were not a namebrand unit.

the most popular built in DAC is burr brown which by now is like a hemi engine... an advertising trick.

pioneer still has their DEH-P800RPS model for sale

ALPINE DVA-9861 has an optical output