KaOsTiK

hey guys,

i haven't been on here in years and i'm surprised my account still works

i haven't touch car audio in about 3 years or so...and obviously technology and equipment has developed a lot.

anyhow...here's my current scenerio...

i;m gonna run a carpc, but i'm indecisive about what pci soundcard i'll be running. i want to run optical out (anyone have opinions why i shouldn't), but i don't know if i wanna run 5.1/6.1/7.1. Ideally, i'd like to run 7.1 with 2 12's in the trunk. the application is for an '04 BMW M3. i wanted to run high end eclipse or diamond audio gear, with a couple of those alpine pdx amps (only cuz of the space economy).

since doing my last system years ago, i'm sure my product knowledge is outdated. back then i ran 2 sets of 6.5 a/d/s components and 4 boston accoustics 10's in the trunk run by an a/d/s amp and 2 jbl 1200.1.

any feedback would be appreciated. thnx

KaOsTiK

25 views and no opinions?

i'm sure there must be someone that's knowledgeable about this kinda setup on here.

SweetnLow91SC

O.k. with the carpc running digital out..... you could probably feed it into the Alpine PXA-H701 processor for the 5.1 and use their controller.

for 7.1 maybe the JBL MS-8.. but it doesn't have digital input. so to get max SQ (24/192). you probably have to run an outboard DAC (something like the Apogee Mini-DAC) using the USB out from the pc, then feed it into the processor.

hope that helps..

KaOsTiK

quality response...thanks

The Icon

There are amps that do 6.1. built in on board processor.

KaOsTiK

hmm...well, for my setup.. this is the sound card i'm leaning towards http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-meridian.php

Brad-S.A.

iTrader: (35)

I would not use a PCI soundcard at all, you can pass over noise. I would use something like a Gigaport AG usb analog sound card. Used in club or dj system of very high power. No transfer of internal noises.

KaOsTiK

now here's the debate... usb vs internal (pci).

i've been researching alot and can't find anyone coming to any definitive conclusions between usb vs internal sound cards. from all the sources i've gather information from...it seems like more ppl prefer pci for the carpc setup because of how compact it is (using an opus case) and how there may be latency and attenuation using a usb soundcard. any opinions?

Brad-S.A.

iTrader: (35)

I definately got internal noise using an internal PCI card when amplified. Hence why I went to a USB. I found much cleaner.

KaOsTiK

what was your setup (hardware)?

see...i'm more of a computer guy than i am an audiophile, so from that perspective, it makes more sense with there being more noise generated with a usb device than there would be internally.

so what i'm trying to figure out is whether the difficulty is finding correct hardware pairing or if the issue is simply the connection type.

my hardware setup so far will be encased in an opus mini-itx case with an epia sp13000 mobo running the x-meridian on its pci interface.

my other reason for wanting to avoid running external (usb) sound card was that i didnt want wires/external devices in my install location (since the trunk will be completely fibreglassed for the audio system). i also need access to the case to run bootable OS's for security surveillance, and i dont have the space for an external device and wires running everywhere. i also dont want to extend the usb cable so far to a convenient housing location because i'm sure i'll get a degraded signal along the line.. hopefully i haven't complicated things for ya...but your suggestions are helpful.

thnx.