Got whine?
Got whine?
If you have a noise floor problem/engine whine with your system and it's still bugging you I would DEFINATELY give this TRU SSLD6 piece a try. I know Don & Manny are quite satisfied with the results to say the least.
link:
http://www.trutechnology.com/product.../ssld6_08.html
Here's a little history on my car:
I've been using the ECLIPSE AVN navigation source units for about 3 years (AVN5435, AVN6600, AVN6610, and now AVN6620). I've been EXTREMELY satisfied with all of them, each with more improvements with the newer unit. In my 2003 Nissan Maxima, i've always had a small problem with the eclipse's and the maxima...Engine whine and a noise floor. It seems as if the general concensus is that Nissans are notorious for having engine whine problems. I've tried the PPI DCX-730 to help out some, but I still had noise with that thing. I had to set the levels to "-" to get rid of the noise floor but had to compensate other ways to get more sound. I even tried to use a Soundstream Tube Preamp PRIOR to the PPI....still the same issues if not worse. The line driver was rendered useless as it introduced more noise for me.
What intrigued me to purchase this line driver was a quick listen to Manny's Maxima. We've always had the same noise/whine issues so I was interested in what it did for his system. he "claimed" that his noise/whine issues were gone..but I couldn't believe it until I heard it with my own ears. To be honest, I purchased this for 75% for the noise/whine reduction more than the increase in signal to the amps (thought it was a very nice improvement..more on it later)
The Results:
I set the levels for the SSLD6 less than half way just to see what it can do. On my DLS RA50 amplifier, I used to have my gains up more than 3/4 of the way and the volume on my eclipse at 60 to get it to where I wanted the volume to be. NOW....the RA50 is set at 1/3 gain and the volume on the headunit is only at 40!! I get the same volume but the sounds is more ballsier and it sounds like it gave the Dyn's new LIFE. All that stuff is great, but the best part of the SSLD6 is that I have NO MORE WHINE or NOISE FLOOR ISSUES!!! I think that is the most amazing thing about this TRU piece. I do realize that some songs have hiss, so I tried a lot of different CD's to test it out.
This will stay in my collection for a LONG TIME. I haven't even really played much with the settings yet so I'm sure I'll have better results when I get around to doing that.
Some comments from the designer of the SSLD6...(copied from DIYMA)
link:
http://www.trutechnology.com/product.../ssld6_08.html
Here's a little history on my car:
I've been using the ECLIPSE AVN navigation source units for about 3 years (AVN5435, AVN6600, AVN6610, and now AVN6620). I've been EXTREMELY satisfied with all of them, each with more improvements with the newer unit. In my 2003 Nissan Maxima, i've always had a small problem with the eclipse's and the maxima...Engine whine and a noise floor. It seems as if the general concensus is that Nissans are notorious for having engine whine problems. I've tried the PPI DCX-730 to help out some, but I still had noise with that thing. I had to set the levels to "-" to get rid of the noise floor but had to compensate other ways to get more sound. I even tried to use a Soundstream Tube Preamp PRIOR to the PPI....still the same issues if not worse. The line driver was rendered useless as it introduced more noise for me.
What intrigued me to purchase this line driver was a quick listen to Manny's Maxima. We've always had the same noise/whine issues so I was interested in what it did for his system. he "claimed" that his noise/whine issues were gone..but I couldn't believe it until I heard it with my own ears. To be honest, I purchased this for 75% for the noise/whine reduction more than the increase in signal to the amps (thought it was a very nice improvement..more on it later)
The Results:
I set the levels for the SSLD6 less than half way just to see what it can do. On my DLS RA50 amplifier, I used to have my gains up more than 3/4 of the way and the volume on my eclipse at 60 to get it to where I wanted the volume to be. NOW....the RA50 is set at 1/3 gain and the volume on the headunit is only at 40!! I get the same volume but the sounds is more ballsier and it sounds like it gave the Dyn's new LIFE. All that stuff is great, but the best part of the SSLD6 is that I have NO MORE WHINE or NOISE FLOOR ISSUES!!! I think that is the most amazing thing about this TRU piece. I do realize that some songs have hiss, so I tried a lot of different CD's to test it out.
This will stay in my collection for a LONG TIME. I haven't even really played much with the settings yet so I'm sure I'll have better results when I get around to doing that.
Some comments from the designer of the SSLD6...(copied from DIYMA)
I dsigned the SSLD-6 for Tru. I design tons of stuff for the pro world here in LA with fully balanced inputs and outputs. I do some of the best balanced inputs made, both with solid state designs with a 90db+ common mode rejection ratio as well as with Jensen and Cinemag transformers.
This product was done unbalanced for the simple reason that most head units and amps have unbalanced outputs and inputs. Then to connect an unbalanced source to a balanced input you lose most of the advantages of a balanced input. And when you connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, you lose all the advantages of a balanced line.
Yes there are a few cases where by connecting a balanced input to an unbalanced source can theoretically be better, but that is generally when the source is pretty awful to start with and has poor grounding. In this case we decided to go unbalanced. If there is enough market demand some day we may make a unit with balanced inputs and outputs. But really, until there are a lot of amps and head units with balanced inputs and outputs, it does not make sense. As well, there is little standardization in connectors for balanced audio inputs and outputs in the car audio world. In pro I use Neutrik XLR connectors but the result is that the line driver would have to be about three times the physical size.
If you have serious noise issues where a balanced input is really needed (as opposed to fixing the noise problem) I suggest trying a Jensen audio transformer. See http://www.jensen-transformers.com/
Dan
This product was done unbalanced for the simple reason that most head units and amps have unbalanced outputs and inputs. Then to connect an unbalanced source to a balanced input you lose most of the advantages of a balanced input. And when you connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, you lose all the advantages of a balanced line.
Yes there are a few cases where by connecting a balanced input to an unbalanced source can theoretically be better, but that is generally when the source is pretty awful to start with and has poor grounding. In this case we decided to go unbalanced. If there is enough market demand some day we may make a unit with balanced inputs and outputs. But really, until there are a lot of amps and head units with balanced inputs and outputs, it does not make sense. As well, there is little standardization in connectors for balanced audio inputs and outputs in the car audio world. In pro I use Neutrik XLR connectors but the result is that the line driver would have to be about three times the physical size.
If you have serious noise issues where a balanced input is really needed (as opposed to fixing the noise problem) I suggest trying a Jensen audio transformer. See http://www.jensen-transformers.com/
Dan
These things have literally been selling like crack. Installing one literally right now and did one over the weekend in a '01 I30t - noise floor completely utterly gone !
so how much does this gem cost? i assume if an eclipse 6610 got results from this than it should improve sound on just about any hu regardless of preamp voltage (that is the purpose of line drivers correct?).
To emphasize on this piece a bit more, heres another review. Just so people understand that this unit is much more than a simple 'line driver'...
First findings had me confused ...was this shipped and the actual unit forgotten? Oh damn, just my unfortunate luck.
But to my surprise upon opening this jewel it was sitting right there neatly tucked between two layers of thick foam.
Due to its extremely lightweight aluminum housing I was pleasantly stunned as it cried out to me to be removed from it's packing container
and let it get to work. Measuring at a mere 5 X 3.5 X 1.5 - not much more than a pack of nicotine sticks - told me this thing could be mounted anywhere, even behind a HU.
I proceeded to do a quick visual inspection a few items I noted was its front and center pots for gain adjustments. Easily accessible and with normal tools,
unlike some others that are hidden deep in the trenches of plastic housing and always require that one micro screwdriver you never can locate when needed. A few quick turns for pure pleasure spoke to me of how precise these little things can be. At the same time noting that they were all aligned and not collapsing inside the chassis like some others I have auditioned.
Onward to the connection ... with a few simple wires for Power/Ground/Remote we were ready for RCA connections. This was obviously a breeze as well ... its just a plug&play thing. Done.
Threw the keys in the ignition and began to play whatever CD was residing in the transport. This happen to be at the time one of Steve (Audionutz) CES CDs.
After a few seconds I quickly realized this is not just your average line Driver .. We have all had those before.This was more of a conditioner (mentioned earlier), even a restorative device if you will.
My music was now completely, utterly unpolluted with issues I experienced earlier. Organic, yet charismatic. A pleasant dynamic of natural sound, but paired with zest. Not that the former was lacking, but it felt to me to be a stimulation of their full potency. I again became familiar with how agile and robust my Dyn setup could be.
A sweet inviting reproduction with absolutely no compromise. Who could ask for anything more from a ... LineDriver?? Such a small simple device does all of this and isn't its actual intent !
Linedriver? Ha, that part is the bonus.
A bit more tinkering with my level settings and Im sure I will be overwhelmed even more.
Products involved were:
OEM Nav
H900
Billet 4100 (Bridged - Burr Brown > Dyn MW182s
Billet 4100 (Analog Devices) > Dyn Esotars
and of course the newest additon to the party .. SSLD6
But to my surprise upon opening this jewel it was sitting right there neatly tucked between two layers of thick foam.
Due to its extremely lightweight aluminum housing I was pleasantly stunned as it cried out to me to be removed from it's packing container
and let it get to work. Measuring at a mere 5 X 3.5 X 1.5 - not much more than a pack of nicotine sticks - told me this thing could be mounted anywhere, even behind a HU.
I proceeded to do a quick visual inspection a few items I noted was its front and center pots for gain adjustments. Easily accessible and with normal tools,
unlike some others that are hidden deep in the trenches of plastic housing and always require that one micro screwdriver you never can locate when needed. A few quick turns for pure pleasure spoke to me of how precise these little things can be. At the same time noting that they were all aligned and not collapsing inside the chassis like some others I have auditioned.
Onward to the connection ... with a few simple wires for Power/Ground/Remote we were ready for RCA connections. This was obviously a breeze as well ... its just a plug&play thing. Done.
Threw the keys in the ignition and began to play whatever CD was residing in the transport. This happen to be at the time one of Steve (Audionutz) CES CDs.
After a few seconds I quickly realized this is not just your average line Driver .. We have all had those before.This was more of a conditioner (mentioned earlier), even a restorative device if you will.
My music was now completely, utterly unpolluted with issues I experienced earlier. Organic, yet charismatic. A pleasant dynamic of natural sound, but paired with zest. Not that the former was lacking, but it felt to me to be a stimulation of their full potency. I again became familiar with how agile and robust my Dyn setup could be.
A sweet inviting reproduction with absolutely no compromise. Who could ask for anything more from a ... LineDriver?? Such a small simple device does all of this and isn't its actual intent !
Linedriver? Ha, that part is the bonus.
A bit more tinkering with my level settings and Im sure I will be overwhelmed even more.
Products involved were:
OEM Nav
H900
Billet 4100 (Bridged - Burr Brown > Dyn MW182s
Billet 4100 (Analog Devices) > Dyn Esotars
and of course the newest additon to the party .. SSLD6
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
From: Savannah GA
ok i know about the "whine" in after market audio systems an i was always told NEVER run RCA's next to heavy gauge wiring. electromagnetic interfearance is what causes the whine. so what i do is run my remote an 4 gauge wire to my amp on the left side of the car an i got my high end shielded RCA's runnin down the center of the vehicle. no whine an no extra equipment. 
ok i know about the "whine" in after market audio systems an i was always told NEVER run RCA's next to heavy gauge wiring. electromagnetic interfearance is what causes the whine. so what i do is run my remote an 4 gauge wire to my amp on the left side of the car an i got my high end shielded RCA's runnin down the center of the vehicle. no whine an no extra equipment.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
From: Savannah GA
myth or not i dont have ANY whine whats so ever. i have heard it before in other ppl's vehicles an its horrible. i always hated drivin in my buddies car because of that lol. i heard of ppl using ground loop isolators an such but proper grounding an seperating any wires that carry signal from low frequency power cables does the trick for me.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
From: Savannah GA
boy i just started posting relies an ppl are attackin me out of no where. jeez. i was just tryin to help a little. i am a long time maxima lover, i have owned a 94 se, 02 se, an i currently own a 07 se and a 95 gle, i use it for my pt job. im im the army about to get medically reitred due to injuries, im stationed at ft bragg NC an i will be stayin here when i retire. just thought i would give u guys some background about me
But as a couple of us actually work in the car audio field, this forum is often our home and we don't like to see misinformation being posted because that only makes our jobs harder, spreading misinformation.
Nothing personal.
Nothing personal.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
From: Savannah GA
i understand. i plan on attending a school to get my MECP certification. i love this stuff, an for being a "noobie" lol (we use that term in the army too) i think i did a fine job installing all my stuff myself. ppl ask me all the time where i had it all installed an there surprised i did it myself. car audio shops sometimes get over big time on ppl, im sure u will agree there.
Absolutely. There are good and bad shops everywhere, big box, custom shops, doesnt matter. Im my experience, installers/enthusiasts on forums aren't the ones who f*ck people over though, because negative press on forums spreads like wildfire.
Do a lot research before you spend a ton of money at a car audio school. There are some where you'll come out and have electrical knowledge but not know the first thing about taking apart or protecting a car when installing. You learn the majority of product by reading and the majority of installing by finding someone to teach you hands on the right ways to do things. I was mostly self-taught at age 16 in my driveway and thought I was doing okay until I was taught proper installation methods, at which point I was surprised I hadn't seriously damaged anything in my car.
Do a lot research before you spend a ton of money at a car audio school. There are some where you'll come out and have electrical knowledge but not know the first thing about taking apart or protecting a car when installing. You learn the majority of product by reading and the majority of installing by finding someone to teach you hands on the right ways to do things. I was mostly self-taught at age 16 in my driveway and thought I was doing okay until I was taught proper installation methods, at which point I was surprised I hadn't seriously damaged anything in my car.