I just got back from a local shop that carries Alpine/Clarion/Pioneer for head units. I was curious if the $850 Pioneer http://www.bestekeus.nl/shop/images/8600mp.jpg

with the burr-brown da converters would sound much different to my ears than a $250 Pioneer. I played a song from Beck's Sea Change album, "already dead to me" which starts off with some nice acoustic guitar. I used this track because I have heard it so many times, and you should be able to pick up on the sounds of his fingers moving across the fret board. I set everything on this deck to flat, EQ wise, and it was running off of an amp to a set of Alpine 6.5" Type S components. I then tried it through two of the more entry level Pioneer decks, setting everything to flat each time, then through a Rockford 9120. Then I tried the Alpine 9833 and then the 9835. Obviously I don't have highly trained ears, but I like to listen to music and am very familiar with the high quality production of that album. I found that I did not really hear much of a difference between the decks. I though that in a quiet room, with no road noise, the Pioneer with the BB DAC would maybe sound a bit clearer, or pick up on something in the music that I had never heard before, but that did not seem to be the case. Anyone have any comments on this?

I usually notice sq changes that are subtile when I am not listening for them. Ie. if I install a new item or make a change, I might not notice it right away, instead, while I drive and don't pay attention, something might jump out at me when I don't expect it. I think there is a lot to be said for psycho-acoustics...

When I switch between my nack cd changer (1bit dacs) and the CD700 (24bit bur brown dacs) I cant hear any diff.

Hmm interesting. Another thing that I need to factor in is the fact that I drive a Jeep, a very noisy vehicle. I might not be able to hear all of the subtle differences, due to extreme road noise.....

Keep experimenting...it's good to find stuff out for yourself.

Adam

Very true.

I would say that although there may very well be a difference, it would be a subtle one in detail, rather than a tonal quality,especially in upper highs and lower bass note extension.
Having said that, I would also say that MOST car systems may not show the difference as more expensive systems would, and considering we're talking a Jeep (no disrespect), the speakers are too small to show much of any difference in detail, so stick to the less expensive unit.

No offense taken, Eli47, I know that my truck is a noisy heap. I have done 6.5" mids in the doors, and tweeters up front, no 4x6's or sound bars for me. Well, actually I am running my 4x6's right now, but that is going to change.....

I'd still say go with the less expensive unit, because the jeep is a noisy vehicle, and whether you'd hear an appreciable difference in the car for the investment, I sincerely doubt it would be worth the difference for your application.

Buy the better deck -- it is what you stare at everyday you drive... and at night, road noise is not as much of an issue.