McIntosh....GONE, temp HU, cabling, amps ..... IN!

[cpitts]

Well, it's been a long time coming but the weekend finally arrived last weekend.

After collecting the bits needed (new fascia, cabling, time mostly) I've finally done the install and have the audio in an acceptable state (for now).

SO, what's been done:
- Black OEM fascia purchased from owner on here! (yay forums!)
- Alpine PDX 1.600 purchased from owner on here! (yay again!)
- Install of Pioneer DEH-P7650 head unit (single DIN, bit old ) + 12 stack CD *sigh - temp setup to be replaced *
- Install of Philips DAP4040 (made by Alpine) * temp amp to be replaced *
- Cabling of power distribution system to amps and HU direct from batter with 2, 4 and 8 AWG (+12V & Earth)
- Cabling of front speakers direct to amp (away from loom)

I have found that the HVAC unit is NOT REQUIRED as part of the replacement fascia kit. I have popped out the McIntosh metal dial HVAC unit and simply popped the new fascia onto it giving a VERY OEM GT-B look to the setup. Looks far more stylish than the grey plastic knobs (yuk).

Final result for centre console:


Front stage amp under pass seat (from back seat):


Sub amp under driver seat (from the drivers footwell):


Lots more pics and content so feel free to ask any q's.

[garbo41610]

Cool Philips amp mate. They are little tippers. Well done. What speakers etc did you install?

[blacktop™]

Exchanging the knobs is a great idea!

How do the standard front speakers sound now that they're amplified? Little or a lot better?

[cpitts]

Front speakers were gone about 12mths ago when I fully deadened the car.

Front speakers are DynAudio Esotec 362's 3 way splits. (fully recabled to amp)
Rears are Apline DDDRive 6.5" 2 way coax's. (off the loom cable)
Sub is a Boston Pro 10.5LF (fully cabled)

The system is designed for SQ and precision, not volume. Mind u, there's plenty of volume!

And yes, the Phillips amp is a bit of a deceptively good unit. Mind u, the DynAudio's aren't your garden variety front speaker setup, so they show everything and teh poor little Phillips isn't real happy at the top end and at the bottom end...... well the PDX takes care of that now.

[garbo41610]

I have a 2 channel JVC amp that is right up your alley sitting in my spare room collecting dust. 150w RMS x 2 @ 4ohm. It will make the dynaudio's sing.

I had the amp in mono running 2 x JL Audio 12w3-v2 dual 2 ohm subs and they played low and very, very tight.

[cpitts]

Sounds interesting garbo but I'll say 'no thanks' on the basis that I have an Alpine PDX 4.150 in my sights which will cover off the front and rears and round out the power requirement quite nicely. Also the beauty of the PDX (or JL HD) style amps is the tiny footprint which is what I want for under seat installation.

[mihai]

Sounds interesting garbo but I'll say 'no thanks' on the basis that I have an Alpine PDX 4.150 in my sights which will cover off the front and rears and round out the power requirement quite nicely. Also the beauty of the PDX (or JL HD) style amps is the tiny footprint which is what I want for under seat installation.

Th PDX4.150 is damn nice

I have one under my drivers seat and it does the job of powering my fronts + sub perfectly.

[loweart]

Nice one and I'm sure you're glad to see the McIntoss go

[cpitts]

Absolutely glad to see it gone!

So now it's time to finish off the install with the following:
- Alpine CDA-117E (pure SQ head unit)
- Steering wheel remotes integration for Alpine (using a PAC SWI-Jack)
- OEM SatNav voice integration (time for some splicing and wiring into the now redundant centre speaker)
- 1 DIN pouch for under the HU
- Retune it! It sounds flat now, but when I get the new HU it'll be a whole new (better) beast! 24bit DAC's and TA FTW!!!

[tangcla]

Craig, were you interested in my Eclipse AVN726EA? 5V preouts x3
I know you're not, since you already have the factory satnav... but it's a shameless bump

[cpitts]

LOL, thx but no thx.
I like the sound out of the Alpine SQ decks. hmmmmmm, 24bit DAC's...... :drool:

[Jimmy S]

- Steering wheel remotes integration for Alpine (using a PAC SWI-Jack)

Has this been done? From all my research, I haven't found anyone that's managed to integrate a head unit with the s/wheel controls?

Would this same unit work with a Pioneer HU?

[cpitts]

http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogramming/swixprogramming.asp

You need the SWI-PS by the looks.

[tangcla]

I like the sound out of the Alpine SQ decks. hmmmmmm, 24bit DAC's...... :drool:

My new system will be compatible with the IMPRINT processor

Shame all the new units these days have blue backlit buttons. Might have to look into opening this baby up, and changing them to white...

[cpitts]

I like the sound out of the Alpine SQ decks. hmmmmmm, 24bit DAC's...... :drool:

My new system will be compatible with the IMPRINT processor

Shame all the new units these days have blue backlit buttons. Might have to look into opening this baby up, and changing them to white...

Yeah, the 117E is Imprint ready as well. But up until now I've avoided artificial DSPing. The TA and EQ'ing via amp gains should give me enough anyway to leave most systems for dead.
Imprint is to compensate for poor speakers. DynAudio's aren't poor speakers