Alpine's "Imprint" and what's the difference between

[king alpha 0]

I'm looking for a new Alpine and I'm considering the CDA-9885 for $280 or the CDA-9887 for $330. $50 more get's me the Imprint Sound and 24bit Dac.

What's everyone's opinion on the Imprint technology?

And what improves when going from a 1bit DAC to a 24bit DAC?

[buickid 0]

More bits in a DAC supposedly offers better sound quality. Most cheap CD players now days only have 1 bit DAC though, and I can't tell much of a difference, but them I'm not exactly an SQueer either.

[todd.brust 29]

no idea about the 9886, but the 9887 has a lot of control as i would best put it...it has built in active x-overs, and a parametrics, and graphic equalizer...and what the imprint sound does, is that it equalizes the car to get as close as possible a flat response across the entire audio spectrum...i have not yet heard a car equipped with imprint, but i hear it does a very good job

as for the DAC....i could never tell much of a difference...but personally, if i was in the market to buy a new HU and it was between those two...not knowing anything about the 9885, i would still spend the extra 50 and get the 9887

[///M5 2,833]

It really depends on how you are going to use it. My guess is either you need the features of the 9887 or both are too expensive for your needs. The addition of BEP and active crossovers, better eq and such on the 9887 is well worth it; however, if you aren't going to use those extra's even the 9885 is a higher end unit than you should buy as it doesn't really give you anything over some other units that would save you money.

[Lord Baccus 1]

for what its worth i had the 9883 for a week and upgraded to the 9887 and love the control i have...

still learning how to ues it...

[yama168 0]

king alpha, how you did @ skys term lab??...

Aloha

[king alpha 0]

It really depends on how you are going to use it. My guess is either you need the features of the 9887 or both are too expensive for your needs. The addition of BEP and active crossovers, better eq and such on the 9887 is well worth it; however, if you aren't going to use those extra's even the 9885 is a higher end unit than you should buy as it doesn't really give you anything over some other units that would save you money.

Yeah, I thought about that, and can't really say I'll use all the features. But I owned my current Alpine for over 7 years. So whatever head I'm going to get, I want it to last. Maybe I won't use the features right away, but maybe later when I figure it out.

king alpha, how you did @ skys term lab??...

Aloha

134point.something using a 44hz test tone. I had the volume at 22. We tried 24 and 23 but it started skipping. I'm not sure if it's because of the amp or the deck.

Funny, you mentioned that, though. I'm looking for a new deck because of his term lab session. The current Alpine I have has a motorized faceplate, and sometimes it eat's a disc and I have to reset the unit to get the disc out, but I lose all my presets. So, my first term lab session and Sky let's my use a disc and the Alpine eats it. I reseted the unit and got the disc out and was embarrassed, but I don't think anyone noticed. And since that Sunday, the Alpine ate discs 3 different times, so I think I need a new deck.

[Impious 1,476]

What's everyone's opinion on the Imprint technology?

From what I've seen of it, it's very limited in it's abilities and flexibility. Not very impressive.

And what improves when going from a 1bit DAC to a 24bit DAC?

Very big subject that can't be quickly defined.

But to put it simply; You will not necessarily get audibly better results with a higher bit DAC.

[yama168 0]

nah I didnt even notice that happening but it was laid back and freindly that it was not even a big problem

let me know if you need any help..

Aloha