So, it's 6 in the morning, and I'm bored as I can't fall asleep. And, here I am thinking about the Alpine PXA-H701 processor.

I've been thinking about getting one for a while. But, what headunit to match up with it ? How to hook it up to the amps as this is going to be used for a 4-way active setup (4-way frontstage plus subs... so 5 voices total).

Right now, I have an Eclipse CD5000 headunit. But, I was thinking to use the full potential of the PXA-H701, it would be better to pick up a headunit with an optical out, no?

So, here's the first question. Any recommendations for a not-too-expensive headunit with optical out ? I don't care if it has a big screen or not as I don't intend to watch movies on it, just listen to music... if fact, if it has no screen at all, that would be the best ! Single DIN.

Or, perhaps if someone's tried this before, is it really worth using the optical out ? Or should I just save the cash and stick with what I have ?

Now, next up, connecting to the amps ! As I've said, I have a 4-way front stage. That's a pair of tweets up in the pillars, 4" mids in kicks, 7" midrange / midbass in front of the doors, and 6.5" mid / sub-bass in the back of the front doors.
Subwoofers will be in the trunk when I get them.

Anyways, I was thinking of getting a 4ch amp for the tweeters and midrange speakers and hooking those to the Front 1 (tweeter) and Front 2 (midrange)outputs from the PXA-H701. Then, using the signal from the Front 2 (midrange) and linking it to the amp for the 7" midbass woofers as their very close to the 4" midranges. Then, using the rear (midbass) signal for the mid/sub bass drivers in the back of the doors, and sub / center, for, well the subs.

OR, using the processor to control only the frontstage and using the headunit's RCAs to get the signal to the subs.

What do you guys think ?

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Sir Sleepsal... ZZZzzzZZZzzz

I will probably have a brand new Alpine 9860 for sale soon, its about the cheapest deck with optical that runs the H701, it has no screen and is single din, and can control the H701...pretty much what you're looking for.....I will probably have those and the RUX controller for sale as well (I have two) one is pending....I just picked up a pop up screen deck to control my H701, it came with a 701 as well, I just gotta get it in my hands before I sell what I have, Ill keep you posted if you're interested.

The way I see it, you need an outboard 2way crossover. With this you can pair the 4"mids and 7" midbass off one output of the 701. OR a better bet may be to pair the 7" midbass with your 6.5" midbass so you can TA the 4s on their own.

It's best to use the AINet or Optical inputs on a 700/701 but the RCAs work fine too, you just need the controller if you don't have the right Alpine deck.

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Paul Niwranski
1966 Cadillac Superior Crown Royale Limousine Hearse

If you're mirrors ain't shakin...you got taken...
RIP Member #8
Be careful what you wish for...

MTT, I just sent you a PM with my MSN... add me... I'm very insterested in that combo when you do sell...

Dukk, the reason that I'd want T/A the 7s and the 4s together is because they're about 5inches away from one another. Almost at the same spot. Where as the 6.5" are about 2 feet away. Basicaly, they're shooting into my (and the passengers) butt... from the front door.

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Sir Sleepsal... ZZZzzzZZZzzz

^ And because they shoot into your ass and are midbass I figure T/A won't affect their operation too much.

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Paul Niwranski
1966 Cadillac Superior Crown Royale Limousine Hearse

If you're mirrors ain't shakin...you got taken...
RIP Member #8
Be careful what you wish for...

Good point Dukk, but after rethinking it. I'd plug the frontstage on the PXA, and use RCAs from the Headunit for the subs. Seeing as how they don't need any T/A....

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Sir Sleepsal... ZZZzzzZZZzzz

^ But then you lose EQ and awesome crossover control for the subs.

Aren't compromises fun!?!

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Paul Niwranski
1966 Cadillac Superior Crown Royale Limousine Hearse

If you're mirrors ain't shakin...you got taken...
RIP Member #8
Be careful what you wish for...

It has enough outputs to run a front three way fully active with a sub and center out and all channels are bandpassable time aligned and eq'd independantly.
Use it with an AI net alpine headunit to control it and audio from the headunit stays digital via the AI net cable till it leaves the 701 and you still retain all your other inputs on the processor.

^He has a 4way front end....

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Paul Niwranski
1966 Cadillac Superior Crown Royale Limousine Hearse

If you're mirrors ain't shakin...you got taken...
RIP Member #8
Be careful what you wish for...

you could use the front three channels of the H701 to do the main 3 up front, then use the rear output of the 701 to do the mid/sub bass "firing into your ass" then sub to sub.

3way front
1rear
1sub