Voodoo Stock HiFi Amplifier

ib_rb · 11-10-2015, 09:36 PM

Hello - This is my first post to this forum. I've been looking around a bit and am impressed by the community and amount of technical information.

My putz around town car is an '08 E93. I enjoy this car and have had it for many years. My son took over the other daily driver (by design) and with the time and long road trips I have come to the end of my patience with the stock Hi-Fi system. I am compelled to embark on an upgrade project. I've upgraded several systems in my past cars (worked as an installer in my younger years) and find the work to be entertaining and rewarding. After many searches through the forum I did not find an answer to my question:

What magical Voodoo does the stock amplifier perform? Any? More specifically, does the stock amplifier act as any kind of DSP in changing the characteristics of delay, equalization, phasing, channel boost, etc.?

I have researched the Hi Fi system with Professional HU (Thanks to Tailbanl, VP Electric, Kaigoss69, Mathmatics, Technic and others) and am fully aware of the Hi Fi systems impedance characteristics regarding specific speaker sets as well as the usual upgrade paths folks take for this endeavor.

This question is prompted by wanting to better understand what DSP functions the stock amp may be performing and anticipate potential issues as I proceed to improve this stock swill from my car and upgrade.

I am intrigued by the PP82DSP, however find there are some limitations that I don't love. Specifically the ability to bridge channels or easily change the inputs/outputs without messing with the harness. I am leaning towards a simple Left and Right harness (such as Technic's) connecting a dedicated DSP in the front of the signal chain feeding appropriate amplifiers as the application applies. SQ, imaging and having speakers disappear in the sound stage are my priorities.

So, any of you fine chaps done any digging as to what the stock amplifier actually does? If I have missed previous discussions in this regard, please be kind and accept my apologies as my intent is to be an active and contributing member to this forum.

Also, I am struggling to find shops in the Tallahassee Florida area that have the equipment or skill sets required to meet my objectives. Thanks!

taibanl · 11-10-2015, 10:13 PM

The stock amp doesnt have any DSP

I THINK YOU'd be happy with the bimmertech pp82.

Nelson@BimmerTech · 11-10-2015, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ib_rb

Hello - This is my first post to this forum. I've been looking around a bit and am impressed by the community and amount of technical information.

My putz around town car is an '08 E93. I enjoy this car and have had it for many years. My son took over the other daily driver (by design) and with the time and long road trips I have come to the end of my patience with the stock Hi-Fi system. I am compelled to embark on an upgrade project. I've upgraded several systems in my past cars (worked as an installer in my younger years) and find the work to be entertaining and rewarding. After many searches through the forum I did not find an answer to my question:

What magical Voodoo does the stock amplifier perform? Any? More specifically, does the stock amplifier act as any kind of DSP in changing the characteristics of delay, equalization, phasing, channel boost, etc.?

I have researched the Hi Fi system with Professional HU (Thanks to Tailbanl, VP Electric, Kaigoss69, Mathmatics, Technic and others) and am fully aware of the Hi Fi systems impedance characteristics regarding specific speaker sets as well as the usual upgrade paths folks take for this endeavor.

This question is prompted by wanting to better understand what DSP functions the stock amp may be performing and anticipate potential issues as I proceed to improve this stock swill from my car and upgrade.

I am intrigued by the PP82DSP, however find there are some limitations that I don't love. Specifically the ability to bridge channels or easily change the inputs/outputs without messing with the harness. I am leaning towards a simple Left and Right harness (such as Technic's) connecting a dedicated DSP in the front of the signal chain feeding appropriate amplifiers as the application applies. SQ, imaging and having speakers disappear in the sound stage are my priorities.

So, any of you fine chaps done any digging as to what the stock amplifier actually does? If I have missed previous discussions in this regard, please be kind and accept my apologies as my intent is to be an active and contributing member to this forum.

Also, I am struggling to find shops in the Tallahassee Florida area that have the equipment or skill sets required to meet my objectives. Thanks!

We're in Orlando if you're willing to make the drive. We are an authorized dealer for Mosconi, Brax, Helix, Focal, Jehnerts, Gladen, Arc Audio, Sinfoni, Illusion Audio, and Straightwire.

ctuna · 11-10-2015, 11:24 PM

ib_rb · 11-11-2015, 04:42 PM

The PP82DSP is an interesting piece. I've been reading through the reviews and If I were not happy with it, it seems I would be the FIRST.

ctuna · 11-11-2015, 05:25 PM

If you wanted more power you could go to the Helix DSP 6
but its about twice the price for twice the power on 6
channels plus two extra dsp channels.
This would need all aftermarket speaker though to. (to handle
and use that power properly )

ib_rb · 11-11-2015, 08:11 PM

Great information. Thank you. There was a post from VP Electricity where he described the Hi-Fi system, in part as follows:

HiFi or Premium system

This system is the easiest to perform performance-minded upgrades with, since it has flat, full-range analog outputs (two pair, front and rear). The processing and crossover-filtering happens in the HiFi amplifier (in the trunk, L rear corner, under the plastic snap-off plate in sedans and coupes, behind the cargo door and under a plastic bolt-on guard in wagons.

The language VP used to describe "processing and crossover-filtering" spoke to me of DSP functions. I think this was just a generalization and the amp does nothing in regards to DSP functions.

I am clear now. Thank you!

ib_rb · 11-11-2015, 08:15 PM

Nelson - I will give your shop a call. I am in Orlando at least once per month for business and would love to stop by your shop.

taibanl · 11-12-2015, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ib_rb

Great information. Thank you. There was a post from VP Electricity where he described the Hi-Fi system, in part as follows:

HiFi or Premium system

This system is the easiest to perform performance-minded upgrades with, since it has flat, full-range analog outputs (two pair, front and rear). The processing and crossover-filtering happens in the HiFi amplifier (in the trunk, L rear corner, under the plastic snap-off plate in sedans and coupes, behind the cargo door and under a plastic bolt-on guard in wagons.

The language VP used to describe "processing and crossover-filtering" spoke to me of DSP functions. I think this was just a generalization and the amp does nothing in regards to DSP functions.

I am clear now. Thank you!

There is a crossover function internal ti the amp

The only dsp i would suspect is some sort of cabin reflection compensation eq

11-10-2015, 09:36 PM	#1
ib_rb New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Tallahassee, Florida iTrader: (0)	Voodoo Stock HiFi Amplifier Hello - This is my first post to this forum. I've been looking around a bit and am impressed by the community and amount of technical information. My putz around town car is an '08 E93. I enjoy this car and have had it for many years. My son took over the other daily driver (by design) and with the time and long road trips I have come to the end of my patience with the stock Hi-Fi system. I am compelled to embark on an upgrade project. I've upgraded several systems in my past cars (worked as an installer in my younger years) and find the work to be entertaining and rewarding. After many searches through the forum I did not find an answer to my question: What magical Voodoo does the stock amplifier perform? Any? More specifically, does the stock amplifier act as any kind of DSP in changing the characteristics of delay, equalization, phasing, channel boost, etc.? I have researched the Hi Fi system with Professional HU (Thanks to Tailbanl, VP Electric, Kaigoss69, Mathmatics, Technic and others) and am fully aware of the Hi Fi systems impedance characteristics regarding specific speaker sets as well as the usual upgrade paths folks take for this endeavor. This question is prompted by wanting to better understand what DSP functions the stock amp may be performing and anticipate potential issues as I proceed to improve this stock swill from my car and upgrade. I am intrigued by the PP82DSP, however find there are some limitations that I don't love. Specifically the ability to bridge channels or easily change the inputs/outputs without messing with the harness. I am leaning towards a simple Left and Right harness (such as Technic's) connecting a dedicated DSP in the front of the signal chain feeding appropriate amplifiers as the application applies. SQ, imaging and having speakers disappear in the sound stage are my priorities. So, any of you fine chaps done any digging as to what the stock amplifier actually does? If I have missed previous discussions in this regard, please be kind and accept my apologies as my intent is to be an active and contributing member to this forum. Also, I am struggling to find shops in the Tallahassee Florida area that have the equipment or skill sets required to meet my objectives. Thanks!
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11-10-2015, 10:13 PM	#2
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	The stock amp doesnt have any DSP I THINK YOU'd be happy with the bimmertech pp82.
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11-10-2015, 11:24 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 2028 Rep 13,335 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	No magic in the mediocre stock amp. No magic in the mediocre stock amp.(Hi Fi) or the cheap speakers that come with it. L7 system is pretty good. They seem to eq it according to the car type it comes in if you look in to the radio file. But as indicated in the audio build thread no special considerations when hooking up aftermarket amps, dsps and speakers. (other than fit) BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 electical e90 pdf http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 HI Fi upgrades http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=level http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540446 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=technic http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532585 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=833581 http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443043 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324214 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=level+3 Last edited by ctuna; 11-11-2015 at 12:44 PM..
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11-11-2015, 04:42 PM	#5
ib_rb New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Tallahassee, Florida iTrader: (0)	The PP82DSP is an interesting piece. I've been reading through the reviews and If I were not happy with it, it seems I would be the FIRST.
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11-11-2015, 05:25 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 2028 Rep 13,335 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	If you wanted more power you could go to the If you wanted more power you could go to the Helix DSP 6 but its about twice the price for twice the power on 6 channels plus two extra dsp channels. This would need all aftermarket speaker though to. (to handle and use that power properly )
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11-11-2015, 08:11 PM	#7
ib_rb New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Tallahassee, Florida iTrader: (0)	Great information. Thank you. There was a post from VP Electricity where he described the Hi-Fi system, in part as follows: HiFi or Premium system This system is the easiest to perform performance-minded upgrades with, since it has flat, full-range analog outputs (two pair, front and rear). The processing and crossover-filtering happens in the HiFi amplifier (in the trunk, L rear corner, under the plastic snap-off plate in sedans and coupes, behind the cargo door and under a plastic bolt-on guard in wagons. The language VP used to describe "processing and crossover-filtering" spoke to me of DSP functions. I think this was just a generalization and the amp does nothing in regards to DSP functions. I am clear now. Thank you!
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11-11-2015, 08:15 PM	#8
ib_rb New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Tallahassee, Florida iTrader: (0)	Nelson - I will give your shop a call. I am in Orlando at least once per month for business and would love to stop by your shop.
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