Is it worth upgrading?

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tetraag
Posts: 73
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:37 am
Location: College Station, Texas

Is it worth upgrading?

Post by tetraag »

I will be getting a new daily driver this year and I am faced with the question of "Is it time to upgrade the stereo?" My current setup consists of the following

Pioneer DEH P7600MP
ZX 450
ZX 500
Morel Elate 6" separates up front
MB Quart Reference 6"separates for rear fill
Image Dynamics IDQ 12v1

Upgrading the head unit is going to be a must as the old one will stay with the car. What's good these days? My only requirement is that it have an easy to use remote and sound good. I don't want to have to worry about plugging in an MP3 player or phone so I would prefer something with the ability to stream.

Is it worth upgrading to any of the new amps or upgrading the sub? I like the way that everything sounds but I realize that both the amps and the sub are 15 years old from a technology standpoint. I have no intention of upgrading either sets of comps. All of the equipment will be going into a new minivan. Before you blast me for driving a minivan, know that I don't have a choice in the way of vehicles because I drive from my power wheelchair.
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by ttocs »

if you are happy with the set up I would not change anything other then the deck
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
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Eric D
Short Bus Driver
Posts: 4259
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:50 am

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by Eric D »

If you have not, you should seriously consider upgrading the capacitors in your two amplifiers. Otherwise they will catch on fire (not a matter of if, but when).
Got "schooled" by member shawn k on May 10th, 2011...
No longer really "in tune" with the audio industry, and probably have not been for some time.
Hands down the forum's most ignorant member...
Don't even know what Ohm's law is...
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by ttocs »

I thought you preached the ZX series caps were fine?
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
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PhuckinGood
Posts: 245
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 1:00 pm
Location: Bournemouth, England

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by PhuckinGood »

ttocs wrote:I thought you preached the ZX series caps were fine?
ZX Series caps do need to be changed, I had two ZX amps done last year and one in being done now, the ZX350v2 was showing the signs of problems so that was a lucky bit of timing.

If you do upgrade I would be interested in that ZX500 if shes in good shape :mrgreen:
Alpine CDA-9886R
PG ZX250v1
PG ZX350v2
PG ZX450v1
PG Elite .65cs
PG QX 5.25
PG Ti12 sub x2
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Eric D
Short Bus Driver
Posts: 4259
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:50 am

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by Eric D »

ttocs wrote:I thought you preached the ZX series caps were fine?
Since when?

M, MS, MPS, ZX, and ZPA amps all suffer from bad caps.

Newer amps are fine (Ti, Xenon, and newer).
Got "schooled" by member shawn k on May 10th, 2011...
No longer really "in tune" with the audio industry, and probably have not been for some time.
Hands down the forum's most ignorant member...
Don't even know what Ohm's law is...
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Is it worth upgrading?

Post by ttocs »

ah confused it with the Ti line. Same shape :)
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
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