Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Alpine PXA-H600

Hi all,

Doing a quick search tells me a few people on here have one of the above processors. Could you tell me what difference it makes in a Contour? I currently have an Alpine CTA-1505R head unit with 2 V12 amps, JBL 12" sub and Infinity Kappa 6.5" components up front. Thinking of changing my HU to a CDA-7878R (the MP3 compatible unit). Then maybe getting another amp and some mid-range speakers for rear-fill.

What sort of improvement will this give me? I like the automatic setup using the mic, is this as good as they claim? What about the time alignment, significantly better than the built-in system un the CDA-7969 and CDA-7878?

Basically I'm interested in overall opinions of the unit. Is it better than the PXA-H510 (minus the Dolby Digital/DTS which I won't use anyway)?

Thanks for any info!

Paul.

I'm using one. I like it quite a bit. I was using a Rockford symmetry epx before this. I believe much more dramatic improvements overall are possible with the 600. The only thing is if you really have it tweaked perfectly for you [driver's seat] the other listening positions sound like complete crap. It's not the processors fault, it's the nature of "signal delay". However, there are many presets so you can keep several combinations of settings handy. The seperate front/rear parametric eq. is a nice feature, as is the sub level control. I don't have
anything negative to say about it. The "self adjust mode" works alright, but I always made a few changes here and there after I used it. My feeling on processors in general is they can really make an already good sounding system really shine. You generally can't make a lousy system sound good with a processor, and I only adjust mine after I've done the best I can with speaker placement, passive crossover adjustments on components, level settings etc.

I don't think it's available new any more. Have you located one? If not, check the classifieds here, there's one for sale/trade.

If I haven't answered something thoroughly enough let me know, I'll detail it more.

Thanks a lot for your info. I have one more question (for now :)): My head unit has subwoofer level control built-in, as does the CDA-7878R which I might get, can you control the PXA's sub level from the head unit over the AI-net? And does this apply to the fader/balance as well? If so I could get away with hiding the control panel out of sight and only using it when setting up since I occassionally like to change the sub level depending on the music I'm playing.

Thanks again... I'm heading over to the classifieds for a look now

Paul.

Just seen the post in the classifieds. How much would you sell for, and any idea of shipping cost?

Is it possible to avoid customs charges sending used equipment (else I could get stung for the list price )?

I've still not decided whether to get the PXA, might wait till I get the CDA-7878R and see how that performs with time alignment etc, but if I get a rough idea of the overall cost I can think about whether it's going to be a worthwhile investment for me.

Thanks.

I love mine...its a great addition to my 7949 and changer. I get to use the optical inputs! In answer to a couple of your questions;
Yes you can control Balance, Fade, and Sub from the head unit. From the processor you can control the sub crossover in addition to the level. Plus, the controller is very small and has numerous mounting options. See.
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1513918&a=11438321&p=52688595&Sequence=0[/img]
As mentioned before it has 6 memory settings that include all functions. Its handy to tune it a little different for different types of music...then when you pop in a CD you can press the mem. button to select which preset you want. The time delay function is also very cool. HTH.

I've actually been looking to get my hands on the PXA-H600. I've seen them used on ebay. A friend of mine has one and he loves it. If you get this unit, let me know how you like it.

Ryan

Owners manual says AI-net heads vary depending on model as to what features can be controlled. Balance, fade, sub-level should be minimum.

As for customs declaration, shipping and the like, I'm afraid I can't be of much help. I've never sent anything out of the US. I could "declare" it's a gift I suppose, but I really don't know what a person can get away with. I could look into it further if need be.

I haven't thought of a price. I was hoping to sell the whole set-up together, but if you think it over and decide it's what you want, e mail me an offer at NTUNSVT@cs.com
and we can go from there.

btw. you asked if the time alignment is significantly better than the decks you mentioned. I don't know. Any idea what the adjustment "steps" [in ms.] are?

SQPlus, your install of the control panel looks really cool. However my car has a sunroof so the plastic panel covering the motor and switch is there. Also I'd prefer to mount it somewhere out of sight to reduce the risk of thieving scum getting tempted (my whole install is stealth right now except the head unit and I always remove the panel anyway).

You've given me the idea of installing it behind the driver's side visor though. I don't know if it will fit there and still allow the visor to close properly but that would be perfect and out of sight when parked up. Don't really fancy cutting the roof liner though TBH

Scooby, I think the CDA-7878R adjusts in 0.1ms steps.

If you could get an idea of the customs situation for me, I'll give it a thought (and discuss it with a few people regarding using it with a 7878R). I really don't know what it's worth since it's out of production now replaced by the PXA-H510 I think. I know someone in the audio scene over here had one but sold it to upgrade to the new PXA-H900 (£3500... ouch!), the asking price was £260 IIRC which is around $375. In the small ads the odd one comes up for as little as £200 ($290) but as you can imagine they get snapped up pretty quickly and I've not managed to get an offer in on time!

I'll let you know, and keep me posted on the customs/delivery thing. You can e-mail me on paul.morgan@strath.ac.uk

Cheers!

:DI know what you mean about not wanting to cut the headliner. It took me about 5 solid minutes of hesitation before I actually cut the liner. Leaning forward, placing the knife, Leaning back, second guessing, Leaning forward, placing the knife...I broke a little sweat. :rolleyes: The only drawback I can see about mounting behind the visor is the mirror covers hard plastic would probably scratch the display very badly. And that is not good. I don't know the similiarity of your headliner to mine but you could consider mounting just outside the visor...it'd be directly in you sight with the slight raise of your neck. As far as thieves go maybe I can assuage your fears...Since I installed the processor EVERY single person thats sat in the passenger seat has been completely oblivious to the display even being there. Being right next to the light like mine is it looks almost like some factory clock/compass...from outside the car anyway. Through my tint, and with the location/curve of the roof you have to bend all the way down and look inside the car to see anything is up there at all. And even then its unclear what it is...at least to someone else it would be. I like to think.

As to availibility, I got mine off ebay for a great deal. They are few and far between as all the people I've talked to love the unit and don't want to sell it. It wasn't really replaced so much as discontinued. The H510 is simply a different processor(DD, DTS). The closest thing to the H600 is the new processor you spoke of earlier, the one thats $3,000!

I had the H600 and 7949, Loved them both although it did not like cd-r's very much. Best sounding system I ever had was with those two units. I recommend it, I have a second one sitting here, still deciding on if i want to install it in the SVT or not, there new H510 looks goo too though.