jtype

I'm looking at the Navone N-774 (4ch.) and it has a 9.5V signal and that's great and all but will I be able to tell the difference between the $6 economy LOC and the $50 9.5V LOC? What does the higher signal do? Does it allow me to run higher amplifier gain or give a cleaner signal? The Xtant will accept up to 17V but the Coustic only takes 5V so I'm thinking maybe use the line level convertor that's built into the Coustic and buy the $30 N-777 (2ch.) for the Xtant and save a few bucks?

Dave Cameron

In general you will have a better loc in any model that you purchase from David compared to the 6.00 Walmart brand.

In general, the higher signal will help get you above the noise floor. Low low voltage is very clean of hiss, but is vunerable to background noise overpowering the signal. Higher power allows you to get above those injected sounds. Yes it might well alter the gain settings you are able to use, but one should not go as far as to say that alone will give a cleaner signal.
I am a little confused though, could you "lay out" your system for us so we can understand the final configuration a little better? It might help with understanding the amp questions-
I note from you signature your car is a 03 and a list of hardware. Using the stock head unit is a great idea, several folks on the board have done so, and at times I have also. You have a set of 5 inch CDT drivers, I would guess for the doors? Then the 8 inch Image Dynamics sub, which will install where? The older coustics is about a 35 watt two channel amp, and thhe Xtant is I recall about 50 watts two channel but really designed for bridged mono to a sub at 125 or so. You will want to use the Xtant for the image dynamics- while I love Image Dynamics hardware this is a very low efficency sub, it will need every last watt you will be able to give it. The CDT two ways should be able to run on the coustic well enough.
How are you thinking about matching the outputs of the dash unit up to the amps and speakers? All four channels of the headunt are full signal output. I suppose that one could run the front outputs to the coustic, and then power them in the front with it, then use the line level output of the coustic to go to the Xtant, bridge it and go the the sub- is this the plan? In this design you won't have back speakers at all anyway, so all you would need is a two channel loc.
You might post an idea of your install design and I am sure folks will try to help out. But you won't go wrong on Navone locs.
Let us know what direction you go!

jtype

Actually I like your plan better than mine. The setup is exactly how you described but I am thinking of getting a mono Xtant and move the 202m up front. I guess that depends on the sub because the ID is on backorder for the 2ohm DVC and I don't know when it will come in. I'm also looking at a Kicker 10" L5 that won't take up a lot of room either...I'm going to install everything and see how it works out before I figure out what needs replacing. I think initially I will use the speaker level inputs on the Coustic and then the line out from the Coustic to the Xtant for the sub. That way the Coustic will take care of all my crossover duties and I won't have to buy any modules for the Xtant right away. If that works than I would want the remote gain module to control sub levels from the drivers seat. The whole setup is still up in the air, I guess I'm just taking my time and trying things out while still staying under a tight budget. I would like to get away with what I have so I'll start there but the benifits of a 9.5V LOC are tempting

Aydu

I just got a Navone 774 today in the mail. Installed it this afternoon. There is good and bad news.

First, my unit was defective. I get no sound out of 1 of the 4 channels at all. It is the 774 unit, not my head unit, the amp, or the wiring. I e-mailed Dave about the problem. I expect I'll get a replacement unit with no problem.

The good news is that the sound with the stock head unit and the 774 is outstanding. As I had just 1 dead channel (right rear), I used a Y splitter to connect both my front and rear right speakers out of the 774. I leave the fader set to center, so this gives me good balance from front to back.

The sound is full, rich, and powerful. I have the 774 dials turned to max, my amp gains at about 1/3 and I can't go above 4 on the volume marks. It is loud, and crystal clear!!

I had tried other adjustable line out converters, but never found one that gave me the ability to have the combination of high volume, clarity, and absolutely no noise. Cheaper LOCs seemed to add as much noise to the signal as they did volume.

Assuming I have no problem getting a replacement unit, I'd highly recommend this unit with our factory head units. I tried speaker level inputs to the amp as well as an inexpensive loc and was not totally pleased with either. This gives the quality sound I was after.

MisterT

Higher preouts=Cleaner sound in a nutshell. As you run RCAs to your amp(s), you lose some of the signal going to them, but with high volt preouts 4+volts (depending on what brand and model), you get a higher <better> signal. Think about it like a hose. If you run a long hose from your back to your front lawn, you lose water pressure, the higher voltage increases it, hence you don't lose water pressure. Also with high RCA outputs, you don't have to turn your gains up as much on your amps which greatly decreases distortion which can blow your speakers and make your amp work harder.

Higher Voltage preouts helps to fight resistance.

MisterT

jtype

OK, I guess the N-774 is the way to go...now I'm just waiting for the sub and I'm off. I have a feeling my sub choice will change before the ID comes in...the sub has been the hardest choice for me...thanks.