Does alpine make any headunits with 4+v preamp outs anymore?
03-31-2006, 11:15 PM
#1
Does alpine make any headunits with 4+v preamp outs anymore?
Unless I purchase a DVD unit from Alpine (DVA-9861), none of their head units make more than 2V for pre-amp outputs. Am I missing something here??
I was thinking of upgrading my Alpine 7894 to something newer strictly for asthetic reasons, but if their quality and specs have gotten worst, then there is no point...
I was thinking of upgrading my Alpine 7894 to something newer strictly for asthetic reasons, but if their quality and specs have gotten worst, then there is no point...
04-01-2006, 08:53 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
what is better 4 volts that has .5 volts at 50hz or 2 volts that has 1.3 volts at 50hz. line voltage is very misunderstood. most decks that claim high voltage in reality have a output voltage curve that looks like a rainbow, low on the low end(bass, lots on the middle(midrange) and low at the end(treble). what is more critical is matching the output voltage of your deck to input impedance of your amps
04-01-2006, 08:58 AM
#3
Originally Posted by defro13
what is better 4 volts that has .5 volts at 50hz or 2 volts that has 1.3 volts at 50hz. line voltage is very misunderstood. most decks that claim high voltage in reality have a output voltage curve that looks like a rainbow, low on the low end(bass, lots on the middle(midrange) and low at the end(treble). what is more critical is matching the output voltage of your deck to input impedance of your amps
Mark
04-01-2006, 08:59 AM
#4
Originally Posted by defro13
what is better 4 volts that has .5 volts at 50hz or 2 volts that has 1.3 volts at 50hz. line voltage is very misunderstood. most decks that claim high voltage in reality have a output voltage curve that looks like a rainbow, low on the low end(bass, lots on the middle(midrange) and low at the end(treble). what is more critical is matching the output voltage of your deck to input impedance of your amps
04-01-2006, 09:28 AM
#5
Defro, From my understanding the 9860 / 9861 is designed to be used with the h701 (or atleast that's what the website says) so having 2V preout's (on the 9860, 4V on the 9861) aren't really an issue when the h701 bumps them up, but is it possible that alpine is using a different standard this year to rate the preout voltage? along the lines of the CEA-2006-A rating?
Mark
Mark
04-01-2006, 12:48 PM
#6
I am also thinking that because of CEA2006 standards, they may be making the same voltage as before, but just rated lower. A lot of people were complaining, with late model alpine head units that the preamp output voltage was overrated.
I believe none of their newer head units offer time alignment anymore, so I am going to forget about getting a new alpine. I find this very dissapointing.
I believe none of their newer head units offer time alignment anymore, so I am going to forget about getting a new alpine. I find this very dissapointing.
04-01-2006, 04:39 PM
#7
Let's not forget that not all 4-5Volt decks are equal... some has high output impedance which hinders the actual signal the amplifier sees...
For example my old school Rockford RFX9300 has 5Volts at LESS than 50ohms, whereas a similiar vintage Alpine had 5Volts at 10,000 ohms.
For example my old school Rockford RFX9300 has 5Volts at LESS than 50ohms, whereas a similiar vintage Alpine had 5Volts at 10,000 ohms.
04-03-2006, 02:33 PM
#8
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Possible solution to your problem finding a 4v alp deck
I am selling a brand new alpine 9835 deck. Now, I am no audio expert, but I have personally owned one, and all the audiophiles that I know have raved about this deck. The general sense out there appears to be that Alpine is moving away from its roots-- SQ and over all product quality-- to flash and bang. Just look at the cosmetics of their latest speakers and the ridiculous size of magnets on their entry line. Clearly, they are catering to a younger market with more disposable income and less knowledge about the product they are buying. The 35 represents much of Alpine's best efforts at producing cutting edge, quality car audio components. It is loaded with features, such as time correction, built in EQ and crossovers, not to mention a inboard amp that can be turned off for improved signal quality. (Clearly, this deck was designed with expansion in mind.) Like I said, I am no expert, but the overwhelming reaction I have gotten towards these decks is excitement and disappointment that they are no longer being made.
04-03-2006, 05:43 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
i disagree withe statements regarding alpine getting away from its sq roots, in fact i believe that they are continuing their trend of very sq oriented products. if you look the line is full of dvd players with optical out. music is going in this direction as well as dts in car. alpine has taken the unique approach and offered more value oriented dvd players with optical output to allow then to easily integrate into not only there own but many other optical in processors that with allow for better hifi in cars. they are setting a standard, not sitting back and watching the industry change without them. oem intergration is becoming harder and harder, so trying to reinvent the well with head unit that will be obsolete soon they have been trendsetting in the products that they have come to market with, think, mobile hub, pdx amplification and things of that nature
for the record i will state that i was disappointed with the exclusion of bass engine pro this year. its and unfortunate decision that was made by alpine usa and we have no choice but to live with what we have. Americans aren't as tweak oriented as Canadians are by average and the bass engine pro feature was highly underused in the u.s. and therefore lost its value. thanks in large parts to the numpty's at best buy that make up a huge percentage of what alpine sells in the u.s. and likely dictated alot of the current line that you see this year. my feeling are that i think bass engine pro will see a comeback in next years products....at least i hope so
for the record i will state that i was disappointed with the exclusion of bass engine pro this year. its and unfortunate decision that was made by alpine usa and we have no choice but to live with what we have. Americans aren't as tweak oriented as Canadians are by average and the bass engine pro feature was highly underused in the u.s. and therefore lost its value. thanks in large parts to the numpty's at best buy that make up a huge percentage of what alpine sells in the u.s. and likely dictated alot of the current line that you see this year. my feeling are that i think bass engine pro will see a comeback in next years products....at least i hope so
Last edited by defro13; 04-03-2006 at 05:49 PM.
04-03-2006, 10:44 PM
#10
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
does alpine make any headunits...
If you have to go to a company's dvd line to get quality sound, then there is something seriously wrong. Personally, the whole concept of having video in a vehicle is foreign to me. If you want a movie going experience go to the theatre or watch movie in your theatre at home. How much time do people have to spend in their car to get full advantage of these products, any ways? This is definitely a product of a "more (technology) is better" philosophy. As for those trendsetting products ie. hub, etc, I agree. Alpine is still way up there, but don't you think we've veered from the topic at hand? Quality head units; quality sound.
You are right about the trend towards integration. Just look at the new 06 Civic. Where's the spot for the aftermarket deck? But it's a little early to conclude that aftermarket decks are a thing of the past. Quality retrofit dash kits for these models are already appearing on the internet, and if you've ever listened to the new Civic top line stereos, you will not buy into a total phase out of aftermarket decks. Even if you look past the performance aspect of integration, as I don't think anyone can make any hard and fast conclusions about the ultimate direction of audio and video technology, you still have to consider the aesthetic aspect of car audio. Aren't people still going to want to customize the look of their stereo and its displays?
Now I am digressing. Back to the topic. You cannot defend Alpine's bumping up of models with 4Volt preouts, so that only the 7-800 dollar models have it, as is the case with the 2006 line. This trend has little to do with the cost of innovation or any trend that may or may not last. It has everything to do with shuffling aside of aging yet diehard customer base. (I will never forget the feeling I had of buying my first Alpine deck. The weight of the faceplate, the quality of the buttons and displays, the sound for the price.) There's nothing wrong with change, but never at the expense of your most loyal fans. Alpine-- not the traditional deck-- is a dying breed.
You are right about the trend towards integration. Just look at the new 06 Civic. Where's the spot for the aftermarket deck? But it's a little early to conclude that aftermarket decks are a thing of the past. Quality retrofit dash kits for these models are already appearing on the internet, and if you've ever listened to the new Civic top line stereos, you will not buy into a total phase out of aftermarket decks. Even if you look past the performance aspect of integration, as I don't think anyone can make any hard and fast conclusions about the ultimate direction of audio and video technology, you still have to consider the aesthetic aspect of car audio. Aren't people still going to want to customize the look of their stereo and its displays?
Now I am digressing. Back to the topic. You cannot defend Alpine's bumping up of models with 4Volt preouts, so that only the 7-800 dollar models have it, as is the case with the 2006 line. This trend has little to do with the cost of innovation or any trend that may or may not last. It has everything to do with shuffling aside of aging yet diehard customer base. (I will never forget the feeling I had of buying my first Alpine deck. The weight of the faceplate, the quality of the buttons and displays, the sound for the price.) There's nothing wrong with change, but never at the expense of your most loyal fans. Alpine-- not the traditional deck-- is a dying breed.
Last edited by 123fluppit; 04-03-2006 at 10:47 PM. Reason: grammatical problems
