I don't believe the deck was made to output more than the original?


and the original topped out at 2.8V?

so set it to normal?


just guessing, that's what I'd do.

 

If you are correct in the output voltage for the alpine anniversary 7909 being the same as the original then going by what the instructions say with anything lower than 4volts to set it to normal to make sense. Hopefully the older 7909 and the anniversary edition are the same voltage. I can't see why they would be different myself. Also would any damage occur if I switched the amp switch from normal to 4volt when everything is at low volume to see if the output was higher or lower between the two.

 

Manual for the original one: http://vault.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_7909_ANIV.PDF

Indicates 500mv preout voltage, info from here indicates 4 volt for the 7909: Alpine's 7909 Head Unit Wins 'Best Ever' CD Receiver Award

 

So If I am reading correct. You say the original alpine 7909 is 4 volt output., and the alpine anniversary 7909, like I own is 500mv output. So then I would select the normal setting on my amplifier,and not the 4 volt setting, since it is definitely lower voltage than 4 volt. Can you confirm this. Thanks

 

Not too sure. I am sure that Robb will chime in here, he knows everything about the 7909's, original and AE.

 

Both units have 4v output.
The 7909 is known as being the first headunit with a 4v output.
READ HERE:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/car-...ar-audio/55605-alpine-head-unit-says-4v-pre-out-but-only-40mv-2.html#post629548

7909 30th anniversary is based on the 7909J (ORIGINAL JAPANESE MODEL)
Vocals are cleaner - There's more detail without the brightness of the original 7909.

ADDED INFO:

Depending where you are in the world, there were 4 7909 models:
- 7909 U.S.
- 7909L U.K-EUROPE
- 7909J JAPAN
- 7909 30th anniversary edition U.S. (ONLY 300 MADE 1998)


1.) The original 7909 has the "pull out" feature. Basically, you can slide out the head unit from your dash. While so many people jump up and down yelling, "that's cool," The consumers in Japan will not accept that. The pull out feature results in each connection, each contact meets a barrier since the 7909 basically "plugs into" it's cage. In other words, the signal is sent, met by the cage terminals but still needs to send that signal to your amplifier...it's not a constant flow. Alpine 7909 30th anniversary and 7909J, do not have the pull out feature and, each connection, each contact has a direct path to your amplifier. Believe me, that pull out feature was a major failure in the original 7909.

2.)The 30th anniversary and 7909J have small black box marked, "Alpine." That is actually a small external DC/DC convertor....the results is a cleaner power supply, cleaner signal and a more solid image. Original 7909 does not have that.

3.) 7909J has a "Black Out" CDS button. Press it and all tone control and lights circuits on the head unit are turned off. This allows a cleaner signal as a result of less interference and full voltage being needing to feed only the laser and spinning mechanism.
The 30th anniversary and original model has the CDS Button. It's a tone control bypass switch. There is an amber led that comes on when engaged. It bypasses the two sliders on the top of the unit....bypassing what is know as a noisier section of cd players. Cool feature.

4.) Vocals are cleaner. There's more detail with out the brightness that original 7909 has.

5.) 7909 30th anniversary and 7909J have Copper plated chassis for noise/interference reduction.

6.) All models play CD-R.

Specsheet wise, 7909 was the king.
It was the 1st to use 4v preout.

7914/7915 were 500mV units.

7914/7915 were the first Alpine CD's to depart from analog preamp functions, and as such aren't as desirable as the 7903/7904/7909 IMO. They used one rotary encoder for volume, bass/treble, balance and fader. They were 20-bit hybrid "Interpolative DAC", which was some combination of 1-bit and multi-bit.

Nothing else Alpine made from that time period was comparable to the 7909. It employed a 30V bipolar power supply to achieve superior preamp performance in terms of THD, dynamic range, channel separation, S/N ratio. Legend was they used better DAC's than the rest of the line as well, but I'm not sure about that.

 

Great to hear you chime in on this matter Rob,When I read the manual for the alpine 7909L and alpine anniversary edition it says 1.2 output voltage for the 7909L and 500mv at center volume for the alpine anniversary 7909. Do both units become 4 volt only when the volume is turned up to the max. I've heard they were the first to do 4 volt,but not sure why both of their alpine manuals say otherwise. The alpine amp says if the deck is 4 volt,set the switch to 4 volt,and anything lower in voltage,to set the switch to normal. Some saying it is 4 volt,alpine manuals saying they are lower voltage. Don't you always go by the manufacturer specs. Still not sure where to definitely set the switch

 

Lol it didn't even seem right when I was typing that. Hopefully I will be able to add some of the new audio gear to either my Ram, or a project vehicle. Again and I am sticking with this, my S6 will NOT be be touched car audio wise.

 

I think you may have posted in the wrong thread. To the original poster, I would try it with the 4 volt setting, shut down the system, flip the switch, and then try it with the other setting.

 

Why not set it to 4 volt, try it out and see how it works out for you?

 

Can you flip between 4volt and normal on the amp when the music is playing at a lower volume ,so you can hear if it gets louder or quieter or hear any difference in sound quality ,or will this damage anything on the deck or amplifier.

 

Ok,That sound simple enough,When my car gets back from the shop,I will give that a try.I was hoping for a definite answer,but most every time ,you half to let your ears be the judge.That's the way I've always done it anyway throughout the years.

 

the only thing you are doing with setting the amp to hi-volt, is reducing the amount of gain available to the amp and assuring you that the range of adjustment for the amp, falls in line with either scenario.

I may have that all wrong, but that's what I am led to believe.

some amps have 250mV to 10V on one gain pot, I don't know if that's very accurate or great for sonics.

I think that back in the day, it was easier, and more SQ to approach amp gain with a 2 step, or 2 range settings that were closer in tolerance, and more SQ.

so if you set the amp to 4V and you crank your 7909 to the stops, and your deck gives 2.8VRMS or 4V peak, on test tones, you may get your amp to clip, but on music probably not?


so I'd suggest going with "normal" instead of hi-volt setting. This would give you some ability to clip the amp without going to the stops on the deck's volume knob, and it's how I used to like running an Alpine, I didn't like having to go past 3/4 to get to my optimum listening levels.

it may be more preference than anything, and not subject to blowing the deck or amp, based on your settings, although if the deck can't push the voltage into the amp to reach clipping the amp before the deck's pre-amp is overloaded, then you'd run the risk of continuously running the deck at full bore, which I've never liked.

 

Hi, Normal sounds like what I am looking for.I'd rather keep it at the 3/4 range to keep away from potential clipping and distortion. Thanks for everyones input. It is always appreciated. These are small details ,I,m asking about,but I've always found that the small details are what usually makes a stereo or anything shine.Thanks