Hey guys, some of you know that I am in the process of designing an in car computer. I have found nearly everything I need including player software that can do any type of eqing, delay, and crossover all onboard. I plan to be using a professional level soundcard with 8 digital outputs, if I can find a mobile amp with digital inputs that has quality dac's in it. Has anyone seen an amp like this? Thanks in advance.
elemental designs and zapco both make amps with digital inputs, but ur gona drop some cash on either of them... pricey.... but if ur gona drop that kind of money go with the zapco!
No they don't, the eD amps are just like any other amps with rca inputs alone, and the zapco amps have balanced inputs, not digital inputs. He needs something with an optical input which I've never seen on a car amp before. Now the Alpine PXA-H700 has optical inputs, but that's just a processor, you'd still need the amps.
ahhh... correct i was thinking of balanced inputs, and i had heard eD was in process of making one, didnt know if it was out yet or not... sorry for the false info... ill keep my eyes open for one
You could make your own DAC if you want. Parallel digital to analog is super easy, series like S/PDIF protocol is quite a bit more complicated but still not too bad. Check www.diyaudio.com, I'm pretty sure there are a few guides/kits/walkthroughs on there for a custom DAC that you could mount right next to the amp.
You could make your own DAC if you want. Parallel digital to analog is super easy, series like S/PDIF protocol is quite a bit more complicated but still not too bad. Check www.diyaudio.com, I'm pretty sure there are a few guides/kits/walkthroughs on there for a custom DAC that you could mount right next to the amp.
Thanx for the input guys. Making a dac was the next option, and it looks like that is whats gonna happen. I actually have that link, the kits there look good to me and are reasonably priced. I just wanted to hear it from the experts here that car audio amps havent used digital inputs yet. You think someone would have done that already... what better place to use digital than in an electrically noisy car?
Although an outboard DAC isn't quite as elegant as an integrated one in an amp, it will allow me to run incredibly short analog lines by setting it up next to the amps. Maybe I can even order an empty amp heatsink/case from the amp manufacturer and use it to house the dac. That could still look pretty cool...
Why dont you just buy A dell and have them put tv rca's in it so you can hook it up to your setup?
The reasons are numerous:
#1 Dell does not make computers with the ITX form factor motherboard.
#2 Dell does not use any variety of dc/dc power supply like those made by Opus.
#3 Dell uses alot of proprietary hardware that is difficult and expensive to integrate with aftermarket gear.
#4 Dell would be charging me for everything I don't need. Like everything except maybe the memory.
#5 TV output is not what I need. I need digital audio and last time I looked, Dell didn't sell any decent pro level soundcards.
#6 The case would be too big to fit under the passenger seat.
#7 The OS would be ripped out and a custom version of Windows would be used
I am building a dedicated car computer to fit specific constraints and be integrated in a way that looks and acts natural. It will appear to be stock, boot in under 15 seconds, be exceedingly shock resistant, and run off the car's electrical system. Nothing a Dell could do.
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