Help finding SQ *single din* HUs (DAC chip inside)
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jm_vectrab
Posts: 2
Hello everyone!
I need help identifying HUs out there that use dedicated DAC (focused for SQ) and are true single din --preferably if it could play flac.
manufacturers just don't list this and no one seems to know... I was trying to find out by messing with AI and got this list of reputable brands:
-ESS SABRE (e.g., ES9038 / ES9039 / ES9218 series):
-AKM VELVET SOUND (e.g., AK4497 / AK4499 / AK4452):
-Burr-Brown / Texas Instruments (e.g., PCM series):
-Cirrus Logic (e.g., CS43198 / CS4398):
See, I had an old kenwood excelon kdc-x595 that sounded fantastic! no idea what it had but was great. today I got a "considered" top tier pioneer mvh-x7000br (similar to mvh-s720bhs sold in US) but it sounds dull.. miss that warmth.
I opened to check and it uses an ARM chip w a built-in dac... not dedicated and seems very simple circuitry without much filtering around (picture below).
Specs as follow:
ARM STA1080 Accordo2 family
6x audio DAC with 103 dB SNR A-Weighted
3x Stereo DAC delivering:
– 24 bits
– 103 dB A-Weighted Dynamic Range
– 90 dB THD.
– DAC outputs are single ended, delivering 730 mVrms.
this unit is considered top tier here due 4v rcas, 13band eq, TA, 3way network mode and x-over, still lacks when compared with an old one.. is it just the way industry is going w costs reduction?
how can i use those specs to find a better unit, what to look for?
or rephrasing, do you know and have any recommendation -old or new- that I can get today w better hardware than the x595?
I almost bought the new excelon kmm-x705, but i don't wanna spend money and end in the same boat.. I want to understand and identify properly before pulling the trigger.
I appreciate any feedback, thank you!
x7000 board
I need help identifying HUs out there that use dedicated DAC (focused for SQ) and are true single din --preferably if it could play flac.
manufacturers just don't list this and no one seems to know... I was trying to find out by messing with AI and got this list of reputable brands:
-ESS SABRE (e.g., ES9038 / ES9039 / ES9218 series):
-AKM VELVET SOUND (e.g., AK4497 / AK4499 / AK4452):
-Burr-Brown / Texas Instruments (e.g., PCM series):
-Cirrus Logic (e.g., CS43198 / CS4398):
See, I had an old kenwood excelon kdc-x595 that sounded fantastic! no idea what it had but was great. today I got a "considered" top tier pioneer mvh-x7000br (similar to mvh-s720bhs sold in US) but it sounds dull.. miss that warmth.
I opened to check and it uses an ARM chip w a built-in dac... not dedicated and seems very simple circuitry without much filtering around (picture below).
Specs as follow:
ARM STA1080 Accordo2 family
6x audio DAC with 103 dB SNR A-Weighted
3x Stereo DAC delivering:
– 24 bits
– 103 dB A-Weighted Dynamic Range
– 90 dB THD.
– DAC outputs are single ended, delivering 730 mVrms.
this unit is considered top tier here due 4v rcas, 13band eq, TA, 3way network mode and x-over, still lacks when compared with an old one.. is it just the way industry is going w costs reduction?
how can i use those specs to find a better unit, what to look for?
or rephrasing, do you know and have any recommendation -old or new- that I can get today w better hardware than the x595?
I almost bought the new excelon kmm-x705, but i don't wanna spend money and end in the same boat.. I want to understand and identify properly before pulling the trigger.
I appreciate any feedback, thank you!
x7000 board
Comments
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Sorry, but why did you think the Polk Audio forum would be a good place to ask this? Did Polk ever make head units? Nope.
Honestly, I think you are asking a question that not many will even attempt to answer, anywhere. Car audio manufacturers don't put "high end DACs" in head units. The best SQ single DIN units came out 20+ years ago and they didn't have any of the DACs that AI is telling you are good.
Check the DIYMA forum. They might be able to make some recommendations, but I guarantee they won't the the ones AI is mentioning. Most of the new stuff is built for modern convenience features like Car Play.
FWIW, Eclipse made some great SQ single DIN stuff back in the day. You might have to search hard for used stuff.
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Well here is the thing, they did. and I have already checked other two forums, diyma included, no one knows as you mentioned.
I kept researching and this forum is the only place were people commented good info about it, so i figured maybe someone knows or still around ? see for yourself;
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/45938/anyone-have-24bit-dac-in-their-hu
I don't want to revive a topic from 05.
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Those conversations were from 20 years ago. Most of those members are not active anymore. There just hasn't been much interest in the car audio section of this forum and it's been that way for a long time. At least DIYMA is still active. Good luck in your search.
