When I got my Max, it had some JVC HU in it, but I decided to run it until I got some other stuff squared away w/ the car so I left it in there. I recently got an Alpine CDA-9831 off a friend of mine who needed some cash, so I got it REAL cheap.
To add some adjustability to my system, I got one of the Precision Power PPI DCX-730's a few months ago, and that helped alot b/c the JVC had some pretty puccy a5s pre-out voltage(and only 1 set) and virtually no adjustability when it came to shaping the sound.
Well supposedly the Alpine has got mucho adjustability built right into the HU, and it already has pretty decent pre-out voltage and 3 pre-outs, so I do not really think I need the processor any more.
I guess my question is:
Is it better to make your sound adjustments at the furthest point upstream possible(read: HU), or would it be better to give a flat signal to the processor and let it do the shaping work?
EDIT: I have got Alpine 2 ways in the front doors w/ factory tweets hooked up powered by 600w MA Audio HARDKORE 2ch, Pioneer 3 way's in the rear deck ran off head unit, and 2 Earthquake 12's in a custom ported box powered by a 1600w mono amp
This is all in a 1997 (4th gen) Nissan Maxima
Thanks in advance,
-Matt
First of all, I believe you are thinking that higher voltage pre-outs are better than they really are. IMO they are just a marketing ploy at best to act as a band-aid. And I believe they have created more harm than good. I have a $2200 pre-amp setup in my car with 1 volt pre-out voltage going to my amplifiers. And I would bet the sound it produces is better than many of the high voltage head units on the market today.
And now to answer your question. I would suggest using the outboard processor to make your adjustments. It will more than likely be more accurate than the dsp included in your head unit.
Cool. So then I should just leave the signal coming from the HU totally flat?