Do you use your phone as your main Audio source?

[StereoInstaller1]

Hi R3V. We at GAS have an idea we would like your input on.

Every time we post anything on the GAS Facebook about "Deckless" systems there is always a few people asking if this is something we might produce.

Lately, Justin and I have been obsessing about building a Bluetooth module. Something with an outboard DAC for serious audio performance, possibly incorporating a proper pre-amp and some basic controls.

This is something that would sound inherently superior to a an AUX cable, potentially better performance than a CD player.

Yes, BETTER than CD, thats the goal. Full 24/192, uncompressed FLAC, aptX support, DTS, DSD, SACD, DVD-A support, all via Bluetooth.

One of my personal complaints of using a phone as a music source via an AUX cable is having to wake up the phone to simply change tracks or the hassle of switching from NAV to music, or getting a call while on NAV, the whole thing is an annoyance to me.

I would like to have a few basic "hot buttons" that could be mounted discreetly for basic music control regardless of phone mode. Something like a small strip of buttons that could be mounted in a subtle location that is easily reachable. Of course, I would want a high performance microphone for voice commands, TTS and phone calls.

We have an expectation to develop this piece as a "hide away" module so it could be used as the centerpiece of a deckless system, with or without an external (analog) volume control.

Anyone think this is a good idea?

More soon...
Luke

[TheTacoMan]

This is a cool idea, Im running an aux off an older "expensive deck" but this sounds awesome. In.

[e30 gangsta]

Thats a great idea Luke, I buy bluetooth headunits always so that I can stream my music off my phone, and use the small remote to control it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Thanks! I keep seeing this in my head like I just sit down, put my phone in a cradle that has "Qi" charging (my phone supports it, I have to buy a card yet) and fire up my car. As soon as the Bluetooth connects, the amplifiers turn on and the music starts where it left off. A couple of simple buttons and set up "car mode" and it should become much easier to use.

I personally would like to have a analog volume knob and an analog sub level knob. I don't need any other audio controls, nor other sources, but I think we could build an input for the stock deck pretty easy, or just an AUX source.

BTW, if anyone knows of a simple A2DP controller like I am talking about, please share. I cannot find any car audio piece even remotely similar, and none of them aim for audio improvement. I don't know of any car audio decks that can play 24 bit files, even if they have a "24 bit DAC", they still can't handle it.

This will use your phone as a digital front end, but only wirelessly, only over Bluetooth. As far as I understand, the BT module can be programmed to put out either S/PDIF or analog (streaming), but cannot do both. We propose to use the SPDIF out into a very high grade DAC. We still haven't built a prototype, but parts are on order to do so.

We also have an ultra-audiophile-hifi thing we are talking about, one that I really want in my own car: fully balanced differential circuitry from the DAC all the way to the input of the amp. This is a higher level of performance than has ever been done in car audio, and very rarely in home audio. The difference in performance is staggering, I can't wait to hear it. If we can do 100% balanced signal, meaning an automatic 6db or so of headroom we get an absolutely quiet signal that cannot get engine noise of any sort, a dramatic improvement in S/N ratio...and there are more and more amps on the market that have a true balanced differential input...so yeah, that would be badass.

Thats a great idea Luke, I buy bluetooth headunits always so that I can stream my music off my phone, and use the small remote to control it.

Duh. I am so sorry, obviously this is much the same as an aftermarket deck in that regard...just no deck involved. Thanks for reminding me, I never really explained the point of this device. This is just a simple phone controller, it basically replaces the deck with your phone. Or, as was posted, this is also how aftermarket decks work, so you could sort of think of this like just the BT section of a modern deck.

I completely forgot to mention too that we are thinking about doing this module in a stock deck (replacing the cassette mechanism) and keeping full OE functionality (with the obvious exception of tape) or modding the output stage to make it perform like an aftermarket deck...my goal is the high performance audio part, I just want better sound quality than normal bluetooth can give.

.

[TSI]

Yes. I'm in. You could build a type of fascia to replace the actual headunit with the controls you mentioned...maybe looking like an old-school car EQ?

[StereoInstaller1]

Yes. I'm in. You could build a type of fascia to replace the actual headunit with the controls you mentioned...maybe looking like an old-school car EQ?

Psychic much?

[Navarone]

Check out the Sure bluetooth 4.0 board on parts express (i think PE only has the 2.1 board) or Sure's website, it's a nice board that has apt-x, edr etc., and if you can learn to program it you can make it do anything you want. I've looked at the datasheet and the actual bluetooth chip and the IO board it's on have USB pinouts. The 2.1 board doesn't have auto reconnect, or apt-x (but neither do apple devices) and it doesn't have a mic, but tells the phone it does, so if you try and use Siri or something it can't hear you. Haven't tested the 4.0 for that yet.

You can buy a prebuilt board with power input or just the bare bluetooth controller board.

http://store.sure-electronics.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bluetooth

Also check out soundman on youtube or his website soundmanca.com he has some neat stuff, albeit pretty expensive, that uses optical out from the iDevices dock connector that goes into his audio processor, he also has bluetooth stuff, like steering wheel controls and volume knobs.

I kinda want to go deckless and use that din space for a small amp. I very rarely use FM, only at the drive ins or if someone wants to listen to sports or some shit.

I'm using them for home and car stereo applications.

[illest318i]

This is a really good idea. I run an AUX cable and I hate the fact that I have to keep on plugging it in every time I get in. My current Alpine deck isn't Bluetooth compatible. This would make it so much easier.

[StereoInstaller1]

This is a really good idea. I run an AUX cable and I hate the fact that I have to keep on plugging it in every time I get in. My current Alpine deck isn't Bluetooth compatible. This would make it so much easier.

Agreed, and thanks. Just so you know, there is a cheap and simple way to get bluetooth, but there are no controls. You would be losing just a bit of audio quality, standard BT is a small step down compared to an AUX cable...but if you wanna try it, this is a slick little thingie:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-50Ku1ja1VoK/p_822BTREC/Milennia-MIL-BTREC.html

The other advantage is that should eliminate any alternator whine when charging, if there are issues.

[Navarone]

Do you use your phone as your main Audio source?

Wow that's pretty expensive! The Sure one is $25 and has Bluetooth 4.0 with apt-x and edr. It also says input 9-15v so should be safe in the car. I'll hook mine up and test it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Wow that's pretty expensive! The Sure one is $25 and has Bluetooth 4.0 with apt-x and edr. It also says input 9-15v so should be safe in the car. I'll hook mine up and test it.

Its a lot more expensive, but it is packaged for automotive use. Hobbyist crap is fine for tweaking on, but a complete product is a different animal.

I plan on our device being used in hot rods, track cars, cars of all sorts where a deck is a disadvantage. It's simple enough tech, nothing new, but being built as a finished product is a lot more work.

Oh, plus licensing...a LOT of licensing.

[LowR3V'in]

I am very interested. Allot of stereos that or OK have this really cheap look.
Bright blued bullshit looks like it came from the 00s ugly as shit.

Who uses CD? nobody. How about a big ass USB stick sticking out? Nobody.
If you do then that's cheesy I bet you don't like it.

Could you make this work with the stock steroe on other makes?
Have something modern but with the stock looking unit?

[Navarone]

Its a lot more expensive, but it is packaged for automotive use. Hobbyist crap is fine for tweaking on, but a complete product is a different animal.

I plan on our device being used in hot rods, track cars, cars of all sorts where a deck is a disadvantage. It's simple enough tech, nothing new, but being built as a finished product is a lot more work.

Oh, plus licensing...a LOT of licensing.

I hope the ones you make are over built and sexy like the PCNs you make. That would be awesome.

I'm only commenting on the cost of the crappy crutchfield one you linked. No specs, some bad reviews, too expensive. It looks the same as all the other hobbyist Shenzhen Chinese shit, Sure included. Why doesn't it list specs? Why do some reviews say it went up in smoke? Adding heat shrink is all fine and dandy, but it's still overpriced Chinese junk.

I bet it's the same as this

https://www.parts-express.com/bt-1a-bluetooth-receiver-module-for-wireless-reception-of-bluetooth-audio-signals--320-353

and this

https://www.parts-express.com/battery-powered-bluetooth-wireless-audio-receiver-with-power-supply-black--320-355

Or this

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jBgbVKr4H1v/p_819BD1/Paradigm-BD1.html

From what I found the MIL one uses an OVC3860 bluetooth chip which is only bluetooth 2.0, totally not worth $40. I tested my Sure 4.0 in the car and it works well enough. Just a tiny bit of hiss.

[HennaE30]

Seems like a cool idea, although I'm not fully understanding... But if you come out with something ergonomic/user friendly id definitely be in.


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[cypress]

YES YES YES! yes to all. always thought something like this would be sweet.

definitely sub'ing to this