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CD Sound quality difference between HU and Disc changer

Spycraft

By Spycraft,
in In-Car-Entertainment

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Spycraft

Spycraft

1st Gear

Hi,

 

My ride is Aveo5 (2005). Recently I have replaced the stock HU with Sony CDX-GT550 and added disc changer.

 

I noticed there is a significant difference in sound quality and clarity when I played music CD in the HU and in the Disc changer. Music played from HU always sounds better than from Disc changer. I am using similar CD and equalizer profile when playing from HU and from disc changer.

 

Is my observation above normal or is there a problem with the disc changer?

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Eddy216

Eddy216

Neutral Newbie

I think that's normal. Looking at the specs of CD changers, you notice they have their own D/A system so they process the audio signals themselves. Most CD changers incorporate 1-bit D/A converters while most of the mid to high end HUs now incorporate 24-bit D/As.

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Coolbreeze90

Coolbreeze90

Neutral Newbie

Your observation is normal and as the price of the items also will tell you.

 

A good hu will set u back much more then its accompanying changer.

 

Cant really dwell more into the technicality of it cause not sure how is the sony one built but as said above, i think it is due to that reason.

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Kiss29

Kiss29

Neutral Newbie

Can a normal ear REALLy tell the difference in sound quality between a HU and Changer?

I think if its really discernable, then there must be something wrong with the Aux input voltage level.

 

Most likely it may be the SLA setting (Sound level adjustment between the HU and AUX input). Try adjusting the levels until they match between the different sources.

I think the CD output level from the Changer is lower voltage, that is why you feel that the sound is lousier.

 

To be honest, a normal person's ear cannot differentiate whether the CD/HU or Changer is 1bit or 24bit decoding or digital processing or gold plated in a normal car environment.

 

In a perfect blind test in a high end home entertainment system, experts are non the wiser too!

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Sarong1

Sarong1

1st Gear
(edited)

Its more than just the sound pressure level...there is a distinctive difference between the both the HU and that of the CD changer...unless they are really very matching the first place...it does not take an amatuer long enough to pick it up...

Edited by Sarong1
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Kermit

Kermit

1st Gear

Actually, you're right. you can't really tell the difference b/w 1bit and 24bit DAC. Do some search in the www to find out why. DACs aside, here's some possible reasons why you hear difference in HU and CDC reproduction.

 

1. Signal path: HU CD transport --> HU DAC --> HU preamp --> RCA

CDC CD transport --> CDC DAC --> CDC Interface Cable --> HU preamp --> RCA

 

(So if you notice, there's an extra analogue cable to run....)

 

2. Stability, speed and quality of CD transport/lens. Mechanically, CDC is not as stable as HU in the design of CD transport. Speed of data extraction is also slower. Of cos there are better quality CDC in the market also. Some use optical link to the HU.

 

Hope this helps.

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Spycraft

Spycraft

1st Gear
  • Author

thanks for all the replies...

 

The change of HU and disc changer was my 1st step into ICE... i must say that some replies are quite 'technical' to understand [sweatdrop]

 

From a lay-man prespective, i'll do the following:

 

- check out the model and specs of the disc changer. This will be easier to swap for a different one.

- change cable connecting the HU and disc changer to a better quality one.

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Kwongwing

Kwongwing

Neutral Newbie

My advice - do NOT bother!

Even with an optical digital link from the disc changer to a Clarion D2 HU can immediately tell the differnec in the sound quality / clarity. FYI, the link itself costs about $200+.

Save the money and use it better somewhere else.

[flowerface]

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Slowpoke156

Slowpoke156

Neutral Newbie

The D2 has the ability to revert to using the analogue cable for audio if the optical link is not connected properly or not functioning. I've tried both and can clearly tell which is which, and that the otical link sounds as good as the HU, since the CD changer is now a transport rather than a DAC.

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Kwongwing

Kwongwing

Neutral Newbie

Does the analogue signal also travel via the optical cable? [confused]

The D2 system was installed only with the optical cable linking the changer to the HU.

I'll do another A/B test of a same CD played in the HU and the changer again. [flowerface]

Thanks for the info

[thumbsup]

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Slowpoke156

Slowpoke156

Neutral Newbie

No lah. What I meant is, that if you disconnect the optical cable, once you power off and on the system, it will use the changer control for your audio signals. You will neeed to reset (systems check) your HU to get it to recognise the optical cable again.

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