Looking for a new headunit. Does preout voltage matter? Suggestions?

[Syphlyn]

Hey guys,

So my current headunit is crapping on me and failing to recognize when I plug my phone in or a usb flashdrive. It randomly pauses and won't unpause and sometimes it just won't work until I turn my truck off and restart it.

My current HU (Alpine ute 42bt) only has two sets of preouts @ 2v. I'm running my 4 channel off the "front" with y-splitters and my sub amp off the "rear/sub" preout. Currently I'm looking at other Alpines because I have gotten used to the system and how everything works, I am however open to other brands. I have a DD1 to do all the gain setting ect...

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The main thing I am looking for is a headunit with 3 pairs of preouts, to get rid of those Y-Splitters. Looking to stay withint $150 - $300

I am considering the Alpine CDE - 153BT but it has 2v preouts and I'm not really sure if I should be aiming for 4v. I also found the Alpine CDE-147BT which has 4v preouts and 3 pairs of them but for some reason the USB is on the back, which is something I find odd...

Thanks guys, I live in Canada so things are more pricey here!

[SIDE SHOW]

I usually suggest higher the voltage the better (aim for 4 to 8 volt if possible)

[Dan2427]

I like USB's on the back. Then you just run the cable that comes with head unit to a spot like in my escalade I had it in my glove box cuz I had a double din and in my Denali I had it the cubby below the single din CD player and just drilled a hole and it was hidden til I pulled it out to plug in iPod or my iPhone.

Edit: I'd run 4 volt as well

[MrSkippyJ]

preout voltage isn't that important unless you have a LOT of amps or compete and push things to the absolute max of a piece of equipment's capabilities, be it SPL or SQ.

[Broke_Audio_Addict]

Higher preout voltage can mean less distortion as well.

[Syphlyn]

I usually suggest higher the voltage the better (aim for 4 to 8 volt if possible)

I like USB's on the back. Then you just run the cable that comes with head unit to a spot like in my escalade I had it in my glove box cuz I had a double din and in my Denali I had it the cubby below the single din CD player and just drilled a hole and it was hidden til I pulled it out to plug in iPod or my iPhone.

Edit: I'd run 4 volt as well

preout voltage isn't that important unless you have a LOT of amps or compete and push things to the absolute max of a piece of equipment's capabilities, be it SPL or SQ.

Higher preout voltage can mean less distortion as well.

Went out and got my hands on a Kenwood KDC-X898. It has all the features I wanted plus a shit ton more. I'm excited to get it put in and start fiddling around with all these fancy settings. Gotta re-do my amps as this one has 4v preouts while my old HU had 2v preouts.

Should be fun...

[ILuvJDM]

Should be quick work with that DD1 though

[Skullz]

Don't go less than 4v on your pre outs.

Distortion can get really bad with lower voltage H/U's.

[Bump4life]

i want the people who are saying 2volt preouts cause more distortion to explain why they think that. because from my knowledge, a 2v signal can be just as clean as a 4 volt signal.

a stronger rca signal can help to reduce noise in the system. other than that, it really doesnt matter. a signal is a signal, as long as the amps inputs are rated for that voltage youll be fine

[Skullz]

The H/U is not the cause of the distortion but rather driving the amps gain higher can get it into the range of distortion much quicker.

There wouldn't be a problem for the higher quality equipment and old school gear, but with today's lower quality of gear it can become a problem.