Upgrading the Linn audio in a DB9

[vinnie83]

Hi guys... so after some googling, I've discovered that I'm not the only one who thinks this system is ste.

It's the 280 watt option (how poor was the standard??) and sounds absolutely pathetic for a £100k+ car.

My 911 has a Bose system and it's bloody good, as did my older SL - a 2003 car, which sounded pretty good too. With both of these cars, I never even thought for a second that anything requires upgrading.

Google search reveals many people unhappy, but few who have actually done anything about it. Those who have seem to have spend an enormous amount of money having a full custom system installed.

So in short, has anyone here upgraded theirs in any way?

Are there any easy upgrades that make a worthy difference?

The sub is an obvious weak point, and the rest of the speakers are hardly mind blowing. It wouldn't be very costly to change these - but is the standard amplifier an equal weak point?

Upgrading the amp is where things get costly...

Any advice appreciated.

[vinnie83]

Yeah I don't want the expense or the hassle of fitting a whole new system.

I was hoping someone here may have changed the components and sub and could offer an opinion on how much difference it made.

Also, I was hoping someone may have an idea of which components and sub would fit in the existing spaces too.

[vinnie83]

The infinity sub appears to not be in production anymore - they only list a limited number of items on their website suggesting that they're just clearing out old stock.

Their old 'Perfect' series speakers were amazing going back 10 years when I was into all this stuff, but I think the introduction of decent manufacturer systems and integrated systems has killed the market.

They do have a reference series sub listed with the correct size and impedance, however I recall their reference series being rather poor at the time.

[vinnie83]

Sump said:

8tech, there is a guy on 6speedonline who replaced the front speakers with these :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-100CA1-ACCESS-CA1-...

You can see it in this thread. - http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/28...

I am thinking about buying that listing as £69 for a pair is a bargain if it improves the sound alot!

I for the life of my can't find your sub anywhere :S

Sump, that chap has a Vantage so the dimensions may be different? If you do buy, please let us know how you get on!

ETA:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.50873716...

Just found this with details of the components and subs used - UK company and installed about a year and half ago so the kit shouldn't be difficult to source.

Edited by vinnie83 on Tuesday 31st March 14:14

[vinnie83]

For anyone that is interested, I've spoken to the company I linked the FB post to above and they seem to have done a number of DB9 audio upgrades.

Costings he gave were approx, but based on replacing 4 x 4" components (with 4") ~£400, replacing the sub with the JL audio sub ~200 and an amp with sound processor ~£900.

He's getting back to me with prices for bluetooth and aux input but he said approx £400.


If anyone is interested, why don't we see if he is willing to do a discount if we get a few people together?

ETA-

He just called back after doing his research - there's no integrated bluetooth/ipod option available. So either I can use the AUX input in the amp and have a 3.5mm input installed somewhere for the music and have a parrot kit installed, or there's a unit for ~£400 that allows ipod integration with the stereo.

Hope this info is useful to someone!

Edited by vinnie83 on Tuesday 31st March 17:19

[vinnie83]

The sound processor/amp he recommended is Audison 8.9

He did highlight the trouble with 4" and the gap between their lowest point and the subs highest. He also pointed out the cost due to how time consuming it was to install the 6" components as per the FB pics.

I'm going to go with the speaker upgrade first - I can't imagine the labour is a tremendous amount and with me not having a garage I would prefer to pay someone to get the job done quickly and cleanly.

If the 4x component and sub upgrade isn't good enough, I will then get the amp installed as he said that it's a separate process so getting it done later will not increase the work required.

£1,300 all in + the £100 ish (these are approx figures with no negotiation yet) for the module to allow switching of the AUX input to me seems rather good value if the system is decent - far cheaper than Aston charged for the top Linn upgrade which sounds ste!

I finish Uni in about 5-6 weeks so I'll get the car up to this chap and report back in the summer.

In the meantime, I'll keep doing my research to see what other options are available and report back here.

[vinnie83]

Sump said:

Okay, well I am going to do something similar but a DIY version of it.

I don't think an amp is needed but I'll see what happens with my speaker upgrade and sub upgrade.

I'll report back in a couple of weeks as I am itching to get going. Just need to settle on which speakers to get now. I think I'll go towards some 5" ones in that case. I'll do the front 2 and the sub to start off and see if there is a difference at least.

Looks like us three have concluded the linn is crap at the same time.

I think everybody agrees that the Linn is crap!

According to the chap I spoke to yesterday, 5" in the front is a real pain so if you do decide to go that route, please take photos of the steps!

[vinnie83]

Guys - what impedance rating is the Linn sub in the DB9? I know it's a dual voice coil, but cannot seem to find what impedance it is.

[vinnie83]

divetheworld said:

vinnie83 said:

Guys - what impedance rating is the Linn sub in the DB9? I know it's a dual voice coil, but cannot seem to find what impedance it is.

Dual 4ohm is a safe bet. The lower the impedance, the more current (and heat) the amp will supply.
Don't forget the subs enclosure is the significant limiting factor here, not the sub.
Unless you Want to crank drum and bass at the traffic lights with your windows down then the sub is the least significant component in your system. Concentrate on your soundstage first.

To evaluate your system or when doing listening tests, get a copy of an IASCA disc ( favour the 1995 one) or a Sheffield labs disc.

Thanks, but I don't want to get a 4ohm sub if the current amp is optimised for a 2 ohm speaker.

In the FB post I linked, there's a replacement amp so the impedance of the existing amp is not relevant, but I was hoping to try to change all of the speakers first and decide whether to add an amp after if I decide it's still poor.

I know the sub isn't the be all of the system, but it's a very significant shortfall in this system - and I do listen to bass heavy music so require as full a sound as the existing set up allows.

[vinnie83]

Sump said:

Okay so I upgraded the Sub to this : Rockford Fosgate P2D2-8 - 8" Punch

Very good and actually have some bass now!

Which Linn system do you have in your car?

I fitted this a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GTWAI2/ref=oh...

Rockford Fosgate P2D2-8 Punch P2 DVC 2 Ohm 8-Inch

To be honest - it is better than the old sub, which had blown, but it's still pretty crappy! It's not very loud - to a point that cruising speed on the motorway, the volume has to be at full and I still don't feel it's enough.

As for fitting, it was pretty simple - needed a friend to push some metal in the car aside momentarily to allow the sub to squeeze into where it's mounted, but apart from that it was a doddle to fit.

The sub you got seems a lot deeper - was there any trouble fitting it in - did you have to fabricate any spacers etc?

Be interested to see how you go with the 5" as a couple of car audio shops told me it's a right PITA.

[vinnie83]

Sump said:

Vinne / 8tech have you done anything to your sound system yet?

I installed the updated Rockford sub, but to be honest, I was disappointed. The old sub was blown, so it made an improvement but I can't imagine a great one.

All other spending on the car has gone on hold having got married and a new house this summer

[vinnie83]

8Tech said:

now that the bass has been vastly improved with the replacement Soundstream sub.

8Tech, would it be possible to meet up and have a listen to your system? The RF sub I changed to was very far from a vast improvement so maybe I'll consider the same sub as you.

I'm near Chigwell but happy to head somewhere closer to you of course.

[vinnie83]

If I remember correctly, if you get the correct version of the sub, then the wiring should be exactly the same as currently is.

This is the sub I ordered:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GTWAI2/ref=o...