Head Unit OR Equalizer??

[KCMobius]

My old Kenwood head unit is a pain when trying to use the I phone for music. So I thought about upgrading to a newer head unit. Then I read all the great things about the equalizers from Wet Sounds (WS-420-SQ) and or the Exile (ZLD). I love the idea of control of 3 zones (sub, tower and cabin).

So then I thought about it and I never use the radio or CD player so why do I even need a head unit?
It appears that I could hook up an I pod or I phone at any time to the equalizer and go from there.

I have 2 amps that I currently use; one 4 channel for the cabin and tower and then one 2 channel for my sub.

Any comments and/ or ideas on this would be helpful. Thanks in advance; you guys are the best when it comes to thoughts in the Moomba world!

[bergermaister]

You should talk to Dan...

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?23583-headunit-and-remote-delete

[MLA]

KC,

Bypassing a traditional head-unit and connecting directly to an EQ means you lose a little bit of line level boost between the head-unit and EQ. If your head-unit has a set of AUX RCA inputs, I would consider using these as opposed to directly to the EQ. You would still be using the same output on your phone, since the USB on the head-unit is not user friendly. Keeping the head-unit also gives you a clean method of triggering the amps and EQ to turn on.

On the flip side, there are plenty of folks going without a traditional head-unit. Lately, most are using a Bluetooth receive, like the Wet Sounds, into the EQ and not having that hard wire connection.

[brain_rinse]

I'm definitely in the no head unit camp. If it wasn't in the glovebox maybe things would be different, but I've been very happy using eq only. Just planning on the Bluetooth addition so I can ditch the wires.

[David Analog]

You certainly don't need a head unit unless you feel you need transom control.
But I also agree with having a HU for the boost in line level. It's typically a 100% voltage boost over an ipod/iphone. If I opted to eliminate the HU completely then I might consider a small line amp to replace it.
Btw, new HUs, even those that are loaded with features and have stronger pre-out voltages, have gotten very inexpensive.

[KCMobius]

Thanks for all the thoughts! It is really not so much about the money; I just feel like buying a new head unit is old technology. Like back in the 80's when I bought a new 8 track tape player Ha Ha!

I will continue to think about this one. I have until April before I bring the boat out of storage.

Thanks,
John

[brain_rinse]

If I opted to eliminate the HU completely then I might consider a small line amp to replace it.
What line amp would you recommend for the WS420 and BT-VC?

[David Analog]

What line amp would you recommend for the WS420 and BT-VC?

The JL Audio CL-RLC would make a good cost-efficient line amp. Max. 7.5V. Remote knob. Pass-thrus.
Although I don't anticipate an issue, I have no first hand experience using a line amp with a Bluetooth module.

[Brianinpdx]

I think head units have dated themselves over the last few years. Even though the sound quality is going to be better from one, the large majority of people are carrying handsets with streaming music. To me, adding a preamp like the ZLD or 420 (or any of the others) are a good idea because it give the user some control over the sound and builds in a line driver. Stack a BT receiver on them, and presto, your wireless.

[philwsailz]

If you use a Kicker PXiBT50.2 with the optional PXI-RCX you can have a Bluetooth connectivity system with a transom remote... OR use the Kicker PXI50.2 with the PXI-RCX and you can have a dedicated iPhone solution with transom remote.

These both can be used with or without the in-line EQ, be it the ZLD, WS4120, or the KQ5

Phil
Kicker

[trayson]

I was reluctant to lose my HU, but took the plunge and only have the WS-420sq and have been fine with it. It has the 3.5mm and the RCA inputs so I can swap between 2 phones or whatever. It's been fine. I've had to put in a remote turn on lead to power it on/off, but that was easy.

I put the WS420sq in the spot where the deck was and got a 1/2 din pocket to use up the extra space.

[navajake]

I don't have or need a HU. Bluetooth to the EQ from the iPhone. Stream my playlists, a Guest's playlist, Pandora or NoShoesRadio.com. There's internet radio too if you're so inclined. I do have good internet reception on the lake though (LTE).

[brain_rinse]

I don't have or need a HU. Bluetooth to the EQ from the iPhone. Stream my playlists, a Guest's playlist, Pandora or NoShoesRadio.com. There's internet radio too if you're so inclined. I do have good internet reception on the lake though (LTE).
What bluetooth and EQ setup?

[MelBrandle]

It is interesting to read about connecting head units to and iPod to listen to music when all this while I have only been using a pair of mere earphones. I guess I would have to venture out more if I wish to find out about a traditional head unit and its uses to enhance my music experience.

[Rugburn]

Brian of Exile Audio and I talked about head units vs. EQ's while he helped me tune my new system from them. He said their EQ has 9v preout while most head units have anywhere from 1v to 4v. Would that mean you would eliminate any need to boost signal from the ipod?

[MLA]

Rugburn,

There will always be an advantage to having your 3.5mm headphone music source go through a head-unit, even if its 1V -4V output. Loosing that little bit of increase means it has to be compensated somewhere. This is going to be through a higher EQ gain level or amp gain level. When adjusting the EQ gains level, be aware that some amps only allow for a max of 6V input.