How important is a head unit for audiophiles

[Joe X]

I don't think that time alignment thing works because my amp is hooked to the speakers unless this works through the rcas.

For SQ you should never do that, you should do it through "RCA"s, from Pioneer this is the best at a reasonable price:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_43523_Pioneer-DEH-80PRS.html

The impressive stage 4 Pioneer HU costs really a lot:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/CD-Players/DEX-P99RS

From Alpine (if you can still find it):

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-117/

[Antonio Moore]

I don't think that time alignment thing works because my amp is hooked to the speakers unless this works through the rcas.

For SQ you should never do that, you should do it through "RCA"s, from Pioneer this is the best at a reasonable price:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_43523_Pioneer-DEH-80PRS.html

The impressive stage 4 Pioneer HU costs really a lot:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/CD-Players/DEX-P99RS

From Alpine (if you can still find it):

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-117/

That's how it's hooked up there's no other way to hook amp to mids and highs I thought

[pickup1]

Your amping your mids/highs. ..correct? Not using the headunit to power the speakers?

[sweendog]

The Pioneer 80prs is a great unit with 5v pre outs.

[Antonio Moore]

Your amping your mids/highs. ..correct? Not using the headunit to power the speakers?

Lol yes

I was saying I thought the time alignment only worked for ppl powering their speakers with the HU

[Joe X]

High end Head units like the above will do all crossovering, time alignment and equalization by themselves through DSP, then you just route RCAs to the amps an disable their own filtering (analog filters such those in amps introduce phase distortion) .

[Torres]

alpines CDA 9887 also has time alignment and a bunch of other settings, if you can find one of those as well.

[CleanSierra]

My Kenwood DD 896 had it all for audiophile needs. Digital time alignment, tons of crossover options, and an 11 band EQ with 3 different q settings. it was a $1000 HU though....I hope the thief that broke into my truck is taking full advantage of how badass it is......

[bdog]

My Kenwood DD 896 had it all for audiophile needs. Digital time alignment, tons of crossover options, and an 11 band EQ with 3 different q settings. it was a $1000 HU though....I hope the thief that broke into my truck is taking full advantage of how badass it is......

or the dealer he traded it to for the rock is

[8ight]

What's really important in a good sounding system is a quality DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) the higher end head units will have better ones for sure.