[isamu]

Hi guys. Quick question. I'm thinking about getting an PXA-H800. When the unit is connected to a pc, does the PC see the alpine pxa-h800 as a sound card? In other words, does the unit allow the pc to pass audio through its USB connection, completely bypassing the need for a toslink or analog connection?

 

[isamu]

Thanks guys. Two more questions....

1)I have a PXA-H700 unit w/ head controller(RUX-C700) already installed in my car. Would the plug from wire/cable that connects to my RUX-C700 head unit fit the RUX-C800 head unit? Or will I need to run a new cable specific to the RUX-C800?

2)I understand that the unit can be fully tuned with a PC, which I already have installed. Does the PC allow main volume and input selection controls on the PXA-H800?

 

[isamu]

Thank you for the reply slowhatch much appreciated.

I have decided to hang onto my H700 for now. I'm still pretty happy with the sound but I know it could sound better and want to make more adjustments.

The only reason I was considering upgrading to the H800 is because I figured it would be easier to fine tune the sound via the graphical equalizer and since this can be done by simply loading EQ profiles via PC, it would make life much easier.

I've been using my H700 for years but never really took the time to fine tune it. The reason is because, well...I don't have any experience with tuning good sound through a graphical EQ. With my current EQ settings, the highs are too high and my hearing seems to have suffered a bit because of it.

I'm looking for suggestions on what settings would be good for me and the type of music I listen to(ie 80's Rock/Pop, ie New Order, Depeche Mode, etc). Is there a website where I can go that has graphical EQ setting suggestions for different types of music, that pertain to the same type of EQ featured on the H700?

Tuning the sound of the H700 via the graphical EQ is quite frankly a pain in the rear due to the nature of the control scheme and the fact that you need to adjust each channel individually one by one. I don't mind taking the time to do it, but I want to make sure the sound is good.

 

[isamu]

I am not familiar with the cable the H700 used. If it’s an AiNet cable, it will work. Yes you can control volume and input select from a pc. I would not recommend using a pc as the controller. It would be very clunky.

I just read the manual of the Alpine PXA-H700(the I own) and yes, it uses the Ai-NET connection as its interface between the base unit and the head unit. So that means hopefully no need to run new cables when installing an H800. Yay!