[nitinralli]

Hello everyone,

I would be going to US in Feb and i was planning to upgrade my system. I have many questions so thought i should open up a thread to get your input (or to make me more confused)

My current setup:
HU - Pio 6950 (i think, not sure exactly)
Comps - Hertz DSK 165 in front
Amp - JBL 1004
Sub - IDV3 12"

Now i want to buy a comp and a Amp. Now the first question is, should i buy a good 4 chl Amp as i would be buying a good comps so want to give them good amp or buy a Mono and us JBL to power the comps only?
Do you think it make sense to use JBL for running comps and buy Mono?
Or should i buy a good Amp and then i use that to power the comps and can use JBL ( in bridged mode) to power the Sub, which i might upgrade too but later. So that way i will have around 600 plus watts for Sub only.

So now if i buy 4 chl Amp, then i was thinking either HK CA 470 or RA40 - DLS Reference 4 Channel 440. Which one would be the best in terms of clarity?

Now on the comps, well the window is all open. I like Rainbow, DLS, Focal and (this i dont know why i like it) SC8365 - Eclipse 6.5" Component 3 Way.

So now i would really like your advice on this. As you guys can see, i am really confused so please help me out here as i was fianlly able to convince my wife to spend this much money on car audio.

[nitrous]

You need to upgrade to:

1.HU with Time alignment
2.6.5" Front components
3. Class D Mono amp
4.(optional) 4-ch amp

You can source wiring, RCA, etc. here.

Lot of time for you to decide on the new equipment. So, take your time and nail the best stuff.

[nitinralli]

what happned to all you guys?? Sleepy?

SC8365 - Eclipse 6.5" Component 3 Way Speaker System

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[nitinralli]

Is this a good buy???

[Mi10]

How much is that retailing to ?

Rainbow and DLS also make good 3 way compos - could try that too

[Invinsible]

YOU need to put your budget. There are many options that are available.
What You music do you generally listen to?

I would to put it more money and get a better HU, something like Clarion DXZ785 which I preferred over Alpine 9887. Look around on some sites you should get this one around 150$ or so.

Out of the two amps that you mentioned DLS RA40 will be way better. DLS reference series amps are suppose to have warm sound and are one of the good amps out there. Sonicelectronix carries them for 350$ or so, along with other reference amps.

[nitinralli]

Well my budget is around 50K ($1100) for both Amp and Comps.

About the HU, i am not sure rightnow as i would be changing my car soon, currently Ford Fiesta. As i would be buying a new car, i am not sure about the HU as most of the cars these days come with in bulit HU wich are sometimes hard to remove. So if that happens then i would need to buy a converter hence skipping the HU for the timebeing.

I only listen to Trance. I am getting the Eclipse comps for $350 from Woofersetc. As Eclipse make good HU, so i was wondering if these comps would be good too.

[Mi10]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Well my budget is around 50K ($1100) for both Amp and Comps.

About the HU, i am not sure rightnow as i would be changing my car soon, currently Ford Fiesta. As i would be buying a new car, i am not sure about the HU as most of the cars these days come with in bulit HU wich are sometimes hard to remove. So if that happens then i would need to buy a converter hence skipping the HU for the timebeing.

I only listen to Trance. I am getting the Eclipse comps for $350 from Woofersetc. As Eclipse make good HU, so i was wondering if these comps would be good too.

Eclipse seems good on paper.

Also consider;

1. Focal 165A3
2. Rainbow SLC 365.25 NG
3. Rainbow SLC 365 Kick
4. DLS UP 36

For Amps, you can consider;

1. DLS RA40
2. SoundStream Ref sereis
3. Rainbow ipaul

[nitrous]

About the HU, i am not sure rightnow as i would be changing my car soon, currently Ford Fiesta. As i would be buying a new car, i am not sure about the HU as most of the cars these days come with in bulit HU wich are sometimes hard to remove. So if that happens then i would need to buy a converter hence skipping the HU for the timebeing.

Its going to be almost a waste of 50k if you're not going to be upgrading to a good HU.
'Garbage in - Garbage out'. Keep a good part of your budget for a very good HU with TA or if you're going to change the car, invest in a good processor.

If you're of the opinion that your Pio 6950 would do for $1100 worth of equipment, then you're mistaken as was I when I had the Pio 5050.
My Clarion DXZ785 was crystal clear right "out of the box"!

[nitinralli]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Its going to be almost a waste of 50k if you're not going to be upgrading to a good HU.
'Garbage in - Garbage out'. Keep a good part of your budget for a very good HU with TA or if you're going to change the car, invest in a good processor.

If you're of the opinion that your Pio 6950 would do for $1100 worth of equipment, then you're mistaken as was I when I had the Pio 5050.
My Clarion DXZ785 was crystal clear right "out of the box"!

I totally agree with you. I know it would a waste if i keep using the Pio. As i said i would first need to decide on a new car and then i would be able to go for a HU. 50K does not include the HU so when time comes, i can shell more money for either the HU or a processor.

One more question, as i listen to Trance and and i need more of a good Mid bass, so should i look for a 3 way comps or a 2 way will do? I dont mind buying a 2 way, infact that would be great if i buy 2 way as then i wont need to do any modification to the car.

[Sn1p3r]

It was always that I had a HU from aftermarket. Wife does not mind the Alpine set came with the City.

Now that Beat is under consideration I wish to have the idea bounced as to how can an aftermarket audio set replace and not alter the fascia of car? I heard that the OEM does not sound good.

I always fancy my iPod touch as the best interface and that I do not have to keep learning the new buttons. Also is the Beat system compatible with iPod?

+1 to Nitrous choice

[Invinsible]

You can get RF360.2 processor for the Stock HU. Which offers TA, per channer EQ, gain, xover, 3 way active xover along with center channel, 5 volt preout, attach an ipod through aux in. You can pick one from ebay for around 350$.
For amplifier you can look at DLS ref RA20, a 2 channel amp that does around 130x2 from sonicelectronix for around 350$ or soundstream ref 960.4, a 4 channel amp that does 140x4/440x2, you can find this on ebay for 380$ or so.
Both are excellent amps with offering great SQ.
For comps, Alpine SPXpro, CDT, DLS, PPI sounds better at the price.

You can sell your JBL amp and get a mono for your sub from here. IDv3 subs can safely handle around 300-350RMS anything more than that will be pushing them to their limit.

If you sell your Pioneer HU, and if you could source clarion DXZ785usb, which comes loaded with features sounds excellent, nothing like it. Will work out cheaper than buying the RF360.2 processor.
All put together you could well have a good High SQ setup.

[navin]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

I would be going to US in Feb and i was planning to upgrade my system.
Sub - IDV3 12" ...RA40 - DLS Reference.

Originally Posted by Invinsible

You can get RF360.2 processor for the Stock HU.
For amplifier you can look at DLS ref RA20
soundstream ref 960.4
For comps, Alpine SPXpro, CDT, DLS, PPI sounds better at the price.

Finally a voice of reason.

NitinRalli, Your baggage allowance is limted. Use it wisely.

My suggestion would be a pair of Alpine SPXPro components and a DLS RA50 amp.

The RA50 can do duty for your components and your sub. It puts out 250W rms in the mono channel - as much as 2 channels of the 1004 (bridged).

[nitinralli]

Thanks everyone for inputs.

@ Navin. I have almost made up my mind on Alpine SPX pro comps, unless and until i find something better till i go to US.

About the Amp, i found this Alpine PDX-4.100 for $350. Its good to me and cheap too. Is this worth it? Belw are the details:

4-Channel Power Density Digital Amplifier
RMS Power Rating:

• 4 ohms: 100 watts x 4 chan.
• 2 ohms: 100 watts x 4 chan.
• 4 ohms bridged: 200 watts x 2 chan.

Class D amplifier design
Stackable installation design with front-panel controls
Quick-connect speaker connectors
HP/LP Crossover: 30 Hz - 400 Hz, 12dB/oct.
CEA-2006 Compliant
MOSFET power supply
Stackable installation design with front-panel controls
Continuously adjustable gain control
Top mounted blue LED power/status indicator
4-Layer glass epoxy PC board
Dimensions: 7-9/16"L x 10-1/8"W x 2-7/16"H
1-year SonicElectronix.com warranty

[Invinsible]

I can never think of picking up the Alpine PDX over DLS RA20. RA20 is said to be used by DLS in competition over their own ultimate series for the sheer soundstage and warmth it offers.
PDX are said to carry some noise in low freq. There are many who have switched over to better quality amps over PDX. Infact Alpine's V-POWER are way cleaner than the PDX.
As Navin said Dls ref would be a better pick or for that matter even Soundstream ref.
If looking for Class D, it's got to be the JL audio HD amps. But, the price would major factor here.

Alpine SPX pro are good but looks like some users have complained of weaker midbass out of it. However since you have the IDs you can always cross them higher for a bit add on to the midbass. Frank can give some insight on both DLS RA20 and alpine spxpro setup as he is running them. I had heard Frank's Dls and illusion luccent setup and it made a vast difference on illusions.