FS: Monster Cable Interlink 400 Mk2 (Brand new)

2m pair RCA "Advanced Bandwidth Balanced Audio Interconnect". Original retail packaging. This model is no longer available in the Monster Cable product line-up. Brand new condition in original retail packaging.

Clearing stock.
Price:  S$50 per pair

FS: JL Audio CleanSweep CL441dsp

4-channel in / 4-channel output high-end car audio OEM integration processor. High-level and low-level signal inputs. Automatic 30-band DSP equalization. This is a current model in the JL Audio product line-up.

Moderator's note: OEM integration processors are helpful for owners of newer cars who want to improve sound quality but at the same time keep their OEM head units due to their integration with cars' HVAC controls / navigation systems and also aesthetics.

What the CleanSweep does, apart from bringing the speaker-level signals down to line-level, is to automatically equalize the OEM head unit's signal output to provide a flat frequency response, through the automatic 30-band DSP equalization. The clean output signals could then be fed to high-end power amps and speaker systems/component drivers.

This is a used item.
Price:  S$200

FS: Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2

6-channel in / 6-channel output high-end car audio OEM integration processor. High-level and low-level signal inputs. Additional 2-channel AUX input. Individual 31-band (FL/FR), 27-band (RL/RR/C) and 10-band (sub) EQs, and individual high/low/band/by-pass filters.

Moderator's note: OEM integration processors are helpful for owners of newer cars who want to improve sound quality but at the same time keep their OEM head units due to their integration with cars' HVAC controls / navigation systems and also aesthetics.  You need an Android phone (or if you still have Palm OS phone) to do initial configuration.

What the 3sixty.2 does, apart from bringing the speaker-level signals down to line-level, is to allow a high degree of customization through individual input channel levels, EQs and filters.

The unit also provides Time Alignment, with individual channel adjustable Delay. The clean output signals could then be fed to high-end power amps and speaker systems/component drivers.

This is an older model, so clearing space to make room at a low price.  I have new-old-stock (NOS, meaning item inside the open box is still shrink-wrapped) as well as used one.

Price:  NOS S$250, used S$200

FS: McIntosh MCC204 (SOLD)

4 x 50W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable into 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, one-band equalizer, high-pass and low-pass filters. This is a current model in the McIntosh product line-up.  With original box and manual.

Price: RM2.6k
Sold

The challenges of achieving a high-end car audio setup

I put this up as an intro of The Audio Journey on a forum, of what I think about high-end home audio vs high-end car audio, and how that ties in with the items that appear on my blog:

Me, I'm just a high-end audio fan, been one for many years. As for high-end car audio, I must say I have not yet heard a car audio system that can quite match a good in-home setup in sound quality. My take on it (some may disagree) is that this is due to: (1) difference in quality of source, amplifier and speaker components when comparing high-end home audio vs car audio; (2) sometimes difference in philosophy of equipment design, ie designing products for dynamics vs natural sound; and (3) difficult in-car acoustics.

Couple that with the difficult consideration for owners of newer cars: (4) integration of head unit with car's HVAC and/or navigation systems; and (5) (rightful) reluctance of owners to tear up doors/dashboard/panels/pillars in order to optimally place speakers and amps.

With all these factors, the question in my mind is: How does one maximize sound quality while minimizing the amount of major surgery on the car? And my take is: (a) good head unit, if possible; (b) good OEM integration processor, if not possible to change head unit; (c) good amplifiers; (d) good speaker components/systems in stock locations; and (e) meticulous, systematic tuning.

Yes, while tone controls are the bane of high-end home audio, I believe they are the boon of high-end car audio, eg I think the Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 is probably one of the better OEM integration processors around in terms of allowing flexibility of tuning, with individual channel equalizers, time delay and all, while the JL Audio CleanSweep CL441dsp is probably one of the easiest to use, given that it comes with automatic equalization.

As and when I come across new items that fulfill conditions (a)-(d), or facilitate (e), I will list them, with pics, as soon as practically possible.

FS: JL Audio Slash 250/1

1 x 250W high-end car audio amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, equalizer, high-pass, low-pass and infrasonic filters.  Excellent condition, with original box and manual.

Price:  RM800