Currently I am using a VW Phatbox with VW OEM Monsoon HU. The rest of the system has been upgraded (Infinity amp, CDT Audio speakers, JL subwoofer, Kicker EQ) in a 2004 Passat. It was always my intention to upgrade the HU, but was going to leave that for last since my assumption was that the CD player in it wasn't all that bad and I would be using the Phatbox the most anyway.
But the HU does add quite a bit of hiss (especially as I've used the EQ to bring up the highs a bit).
Anyway (yes.. I'm getting to my point..) I put some FLAC encodded tracks onto the DMS and then compared with the CD. There is enough of a different for me to be able to tell that the FLAC still isn't a CD.
I don't think that this is the HU's fault as the hiss is there no matter what (only noticable at low vol). Or is is the Phatbox? I assume that the digital to analog conversion takes place in the Phatbox and sends it to the HU which then just sends it on to the rest of the system.
I don't want to go to the trouble to get a new Kenwood HU, get a new cable and reprogram the DMS if it isn't going to sound any better in the end (tho I am sure the hiss will be reduced.)
Is is possible to ever get "near perfect" quality (meaning, playing back whatever I put on it as good as it sounds when I listen to my computer via my stereo or with high quality headphones)??? Is the Music Keg better??
Full Version: Phatbox audio quality
anyone?
QUOTE(aj7360 @ Dec 10 2005, 07:02 AM)
There is enough of a different for me to be able to tell that the FLAC still isn't a CD.
I think you're suffering from the placebo effect. I doubt the Phatbox DAC is as bad as too make an audible difference.
If you're head unit is acting as nothing but a preamp, I wouldn't recommend replacing it. Maybe instead of boosting the highs, you could lower every thing else with eq? If the EQ is really that bad, then you could think about changing HU's.
QUOTE(dreamliner77 @ Dec 11 2005, 01:09 PM)
I think you're suffering from the placebo effect. I doubt the Phatbox DAC is as bad as too make an audible difference.
If you're head unit is acting as nothing but a preamp, I wouldn't recommend replacing it. Maybe instead of boosting the highs, you could lower every thing else with eq? If the EQ is really that bad, then you could think about changing HU's.
That's an excellent idea about the eq as I really don't want to put an aftermarket HU in there for some thief to remove.
But what I guess you are also saying is that the difference in sound quality between a Phatbox and Musickeg should be negligible.
Thanks for humouring me and responding to my retarded post.
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