Question for you stereo guys...

So I finally decided on going withe the new Alpine CDA-9857. (I gave up on the video units). I've owned 2 Alpine head units (in older vehicles) in the past and I loved 'em. Sound quality was the best, tons of features, etc.

Now, the concern I have with this unit is that the preouts are only rated at 2V, whereas every other Alpine unit I've had was rated at 4V preouts. All I know is that bigger is supposed to be better so, am I going to notice a difference in sound quality when compared to a unit with 4V preouts? Anyone know why the change from 4V to 2V in all of Alpine's units? (And, no, I'm not using the deck to power any of my speakers...I've got one external amp on my subs and one external amp on my components). Just for reference, I'm driving my system off the factory head unit now.

Also, I know you're supposed to purchase the module that allows you to retain door and warning chimes which are routed through the factory head unit... now, is this module really necessary? Will I lose anything other than the chimes if I dont install it with the new head unit? Cuz the way I see it, if I lose those damn chimes, then that is a plus in my book.

Thanks.

From what I've learned, if you dont put that module in, all you'll loose is the chimes. Nothing more. As for the 4v to 2v drop, who knows. I do know that with 4 volts your signal to the amps will be much clearer/powerful sounding. After owning 1 deck with 4v outs, I can't really have anything less than that to satisfy me. Then again, I'm really picky

So I finally decided on going withe the new Alpine CDA-9857. (I gave up on the video units). I've owned 2 Alpine head units (in older vehicles) in the past and I loved 'em. Sound quality was the best, tons of features, etc.

Now, the concern I have with this unit is that the preouts are only rated at 2V, whereas every other Alpine unit I've had was rated at 4V preouts. All I know is that bigger is supposed to be better so, am I going to notice a difference in sound quality when compared to a unit with 4V preouts? Anyone know why the change from 4V to 2V in all of Alpine's units? (And, no, I'm not using the deck to power any of my speakers...I've got one external amp on my subs and one external amp on my components). Just for reference, I'm driving my system off the factory head unit now.

Also, I know you're supposed to purchase the module that allows you to retain door and warning chimes which are routed through the factory head unit... now, is this module really necessary? Will I lose anything other than the chimes if I dont install it with the new head unit? Cuz the way I see it, if I lose those damn chimes, then that is a plus in my book.

Thanks.

if you have onstar u will lose this unless you use a module. but other than that you just lose the ding ding ding ................. all the time when you do anything from keys in the ign. to lights on and the good stuff. and the 4v outputs will be stronger and clearer with less effort of your amp. and the reason i would guess they have gone down is becasue they are mass producing them and there quality has gone down some.