using a pre-amp to control distortion (requested)

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:40 pm

Fishy, there are external DACs out there, and of course there are processors with DACs built in such as the extremely expensive F#1 Status processor (which is how Alpine justifies using the digital out on the head unit, and anyone with stuffed pockets) which contains the same K grade 96khz, 24 bit DACs used in the head unit, and retails for $4000. All processing remains in the digital realm until you reach the channel outputs. If you spend the cash on the F#1 head unit, you can justify the cost of the processor b/c for $1000 more (retail), it contains everything you'd ever want to do related to car audio drivers.

Fishy · Post by **Fishy** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:03 pm

Yeah I know, Pioneer makes a pretty expensive processor as well.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/p ... 84,00.html

I know nothing about any DAC-only units. How big are they? I wouldn't think a simple 2 channel DAC/preamp woud have to be housed in something all that large and i don't see how it would be all that expensive either. Its gotta be small so it doesn't unnecessarily complicate a typical install. I know I've just about run out of "stealthy" places to add any sizeable equipment in my Explorer.

-Fishy

Fishy · Post by **Fishy** » Tue May 03, 2005 4:14 pm

Oh yeah, you can't use that F#1 processsor with anything but F#1 decks right? I mean you have to be able to "talk" to the thing to do the DSP or can you make adjustments at the processor itself?

I'm not even sure that Pioneer works with anything but Pioneer. It just seems like there could be an affordable solution out there that would eventually take line level stuff completely into the digital realm. Sure would make things simpler. No more noise, no more LOC's, and no more "CleanSweeps".

Wishful thinking I guess.

-Fishy

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Tue May 03, 2005 5:52 pm

Companies like Zapco make independant DACs, theirs is a combined DAC and de-jitter processor. I believe it is a 1/2 DIN sized unit, it is designed to mount either in dash or on their rack system. That one isn't cheap, it retails close to $1000. That's just an example, there are many others, but I can't think of them off the top of my head. A google search could land you other examples I'm sure.

The F#1 Status processor isn't proprietary to the F#1 head unit, it has 3 analog inputs and 3 digital inputs, including optical and of course Ai-net control as an option. It contains it's own remote for controlling processing functions and can perform independant of the F#1 head.