10 Speaker non-carver head unit upgrade

[Rich8]

I need to research the differences between HiFI and DSP/Carver now, to figure out where my HiFi amp is and whether the connectors are the same.

Mine came equipped with Top Hifi aka Carver DSP

Nope.
Top HiFi and carver/DSP are two different systems -not the same.

Basic - just 6 speakers

Top HiFi - amp and 10 speakers

Carver/DSP - different amp, 10 speakers, and a general pain in the arse to upgrade/bugger with.

[pcube]

Sigh, here we go again.

According to BMW specifications Hifi refers to non-DSP amp with 10 speaker configuration, while Top Hifi refers to DSP amp with 10 speakers (which include the carver woofers).

[motoroller]

Sigh, here we go again.

According to BMW specifications Hifi refers to non-DSP amp with 10 speaker configuration, while Top Hifi refers to DSP amp with 10 speakers (which include the carver woofers).

And just to check, you said before the up7 is fine for both hifi and top? If it is then sounds like a good investment as I'll likely always have a BMW

[pcube]

And just to check, you said before the up7 is fine for both hifi and top? If it is then sounds like a good investment as I'll likely always have a BMW

No I never said that... my experience with the UP7 thus far is only with DSP equipped cars so I can't say for certain if it'll work on yours. Assuming the connections are the same I don't see why not though. Your safest best is to drop by your local installer and let him have a go. If the UP7 doesn't work, the PP86 or any other generic amp definitely will.

[motoroller]

And just to check, you said before the up7 is fine for both hifi and top? If it is then sounds like a good investment as I'll likely always have a BMW

No I never said that... my experience with the UP7 thus far is only with DSP equipped cars so I can't say for certain if it'll work on yours. Assuming the connections are the same I don't see why not though. Your safest best is to drop by your local installer and let him have a go. If the UP7 doesn't work, the PP86 or any other generic amp definitely will.

The up7 is made for option 676 i.e. hifi - I'm surprised it works with top. This means it might be easy for me to retrofit top hifi.

[pcube]

The up7 is made for option 676 i.e. hifi - I'm surprised it works with top. This means it might be easy for me to retrofit top hifi.

Give it a go, hope everything works out!

[motoroller]

You mean the PP 86DSP? That was my first choice but it couldn't work on my car. The two extra channels could prove to be useful, but I don't know if they would drive the mids in the doors or the carvers. Driving the carvers would be absolutely pointless imo. Another point to note is that the 86DSP only produces 55w per channel, so you may have issues with higher-end woofers if you eventually decide to upgrade.

There is an older 82dsp which comes up every now and then much cheaper than the new one.

Why would driving the carvers be pointless?

[pcube]

There is an older 82dsp which comes up every now and then much cheaper than the new one.

Why would driving the carvers be pointless?

My apologies, I wasn't aware there was an 82DSP model. I always thought the carvers sounded bad. Plus they're 10 ohm, way out of range for the amp which is rated 4 ohm.

[kmal]

motoroller, I've got the Carver/DSP amp in my Z4, trying to do a Pioneer touchscreen stereo upgrade. Sifting through your posts to figure out which way is up. Can you summarize your best recommendation?