Amp?
10-19-2006 | 11:42 PM
#11
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 395
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There is no hope for you. A head unit makes just as much difference as speakers do, hence the reason that Alpine radios sound better than Pioneer. Adding an amp will allmost double the amount of RMS power being sent to the speakers, making the music sound much fuller and richer. Making even Sony speakers sound OK.
If you add an amp to the Sony radio, the Sony radio is no longer responsible for the sound processing portion of audio reproduction. The only thing the Sony radio will be in charge of is the D/A converter, which has an effect on sound quality, and the preouts. Where the difference will be heard is switching to a radio with higher voltage preouts. In the $130 range, I can't think of any that go beyond the standard 2V preout. Now, the GT300 only has two pairs of preouts if my memory serves me right, so further expansion will be limited after adding a 4ch amp. That is, unless, you want to use RCA splitters. Buy a good Alpine 4ch, they run about $200, and you'll definatly notice a marked difference in quality of the sound.
Enough proof Burnrubber?? Shall I continue??
If you add an amp to the Sony radio, the Sony radio is no longer responsible for the sound processing portion of audio reproduction. The only thing the Sony radio will be in charge of is the D/A converter, which has an effect on sound quality, and the preouts. Where the difference will be heard is switching to a radio with higher voltage preouts. In the $130 range, I can't think of any that go beyond the standard 2V preout. Now, the GT300 only has two pairs of preouts if my memory serves me right, so further expansion will be limited after adding a 4ch amp. That is, unless, you want to use RCA splitters. Buy a good Alpine 4ch, they run about $200, and you'll definatly notice a marked difference in quality of the sound.
Enough proof Burnrubber?? Shall I continue??
There are decent Alpine units on eBay for around that price that include digital time alignment and 4volt preouts. Look for the 9831s or 9830s; they usually fall into that price range. For about 150-200, I highly recommend getting one of Kenwood Excelon's line(x590,x790,x890).
10-20-2006 | 04:04 AM
#12
MalleusMaleficarum
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
That's just an opinion. Not a fact.
There are decent Alpine units on eBay for around that price that include digital time alignment and 4volt preouts. Look for the 9831s or 9830s; they usually fall into that price range. For about 150-200, I highly recommend getting one of Kenwood Excelon's line(x590,x790,x890).
There are decent Alpine units on eBay for around that price that include digital time alignment and 4volt preouts. Look for the 9831s or 9830s; they usually fall into that price range. For about 150-200, I highly recommend getting one of Kenwood Excelon's line(x590,x790,x890).
. When I spoke of Alpine's preout levels, I am refering to this years Alpine radios. I've listened to the Excelon line from Kenwood, and it's not bad for what it is. But, it's just not an Alpine.*edited for the sake of lessening argument*
Last edited by totalimmortal; 10-20-2006 at 06:17 AM.
10-20-2006 | 10:09 AM
#13
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 395
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What Alpine deck are you reffering to?
I do believe that this year's models are better but they still aren't the Alpines they use to be. Assuming that their highest non-dvd units still features the 2volt preout, it's not really much a big jump. This is coming from a retired-Alpine fan.
I do believe that this year's models are better but they still aren't the Alpines they use to be. Assuming that their highest non-dvd units still features the 2volt preout, it's not really much a big jump. This is coming from a retired-Alpine fan.
10-20-2006 | 01:34 PM
#14
MalleusMaleficarum
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
All of this year's Alpine CDE and CDE series recievers have 2V preouts. I have the CDA-9857, a far cry from last years 9855. But still a really good radio never-the-less. Going from 2V to a 4V preout is quite a big jump. I noticed it.
10-20-2006 | 01:57 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 797
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From: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Checking the bass, treble and loudness settings are a good idea. If they are up high they can be causing a problem. When properly setup i doubt there is much of a difference. A lot of people like the 880prs and I know atleast one person who has won sq competions with the 860mp. I think changing the deck would be a waste of money that would be better spent on either speakers or an amp. Its not like were talking about an all out competition sq car (no offense to 88'crx).
10-20-2006 | 02:03 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 223
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From: denver, co
i would suggest using just using a 2ch amp and just power your door speakers with such a small car you can just run your rear speakers off the headunit power. also i suggest never touch the loudness button and leave it off. but still you wouldn't get much bass anyways unless you upgrade speakers and also i don't think that hu has hp/lp filters.
yeah i'm gonna have to agree with dleccord that the newer alpine stuff is kinda lacking since they're doing high volume manufactoring but like most brands they're high end stuff is still great. look at rockford they use to be pretty good until they did high volume, their quality went down hill fast. i'm personally a pioneer guy but thats only because i'm using a p1r and hopefully in spring i'll be getting a p9. can't beat a unit with 4way active crossover.
yeah i'm gonna have to agree with dleccord that the newer alpine stuff is kinda lacking since they're doing high volume manufactoring but like most brands they're high end stuff is still great. look at rockford they use to be pretty good until they did high volume, their quality went down hill fast. i'm personally a pioneer guy but thats only because i'm using a p1r and hopefully in spring i'll be getting a p9. can't beat a unit with 4way active crossover.
10-20-2006 | 02:52 PM
#17
MalleusMaleficarum
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
I'll be the first to say that this years Alpine's are not quite as "feature packed" as last year's models. One thing that hasn't changed is the overall quality, sound quality, and high S/N ratio's. A lot of the features have been forsaken for user friendliness, I'll admit that. For 95% of consumers, they could care less about time correction, active crossovers, fully adjustable EQ's, and so forth.
You don't need a crossover in your radio if you have a 4ch Amp
h:
You don't need a crossover in your radio if you have a 4ch Amp
h:
10-20-2006 | 07:54 PM
#18
Nucking Futs
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Checking the bass, treble and loudness settings are a good idea. If they are up high they can be causing a problem. When properly setup i doubt there is much of a difference. A lot of people like the 880prs and I know atleast one person who has won sq competions with the 860mp. I think changing the deck would be a waste of money that would be better spent on either speakers or an amp. Its not like were talking about an all out competition sq car (no offense to 88'crx).
yea, exactly what i said, but some people don't seem to listen to me. i have worked with car audio for years, yes sometimes idk what i'm talking about, but i have been installing with a pro and i get a lot of my info from him
the most difference you will get from changing the HU is sound quality but he's not going pro with this setup, so i doesn't matter
10-21-2006 | 12:42 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: denver, co
I'll be the first to say that this years Alpine's are not quite as "feature packed" as last year's models. One thing that hasn't changed is the overall quality, sound quality, and high S/N ratio's. A lot of the features have been forsaken for user friendliness, I'll admit that. For 95% of consumers, they could care less about time correction, active crossovers, fully adjustable EQ's, and so forth.
You don't need a crossover in your radio if you have a 4ch Amph:
You don't need a crossover in your radio if you have a 4ch Amp
h:but i do agree with a normal customer they won't even care about that stuff or are too lazy to learn to use it.