Where is the digital to analogue conversion done?

[MikeFish]

Does anybody know where the digital to analogue conversion takes place? Does the CD changer do it and passes an analogue signal to the RNS-E or is the connection between the 2 digital and therefore the conversion done in the RNS-E?

If it is done in the RNS-E do you know if the DAC is the same in the older RNS-E as the newer 2010+ version?

If it is done in the CD changer is there any other (better) changer that can be connected to the RNS-E?

[PetrolDave]

If it is done in the CD changer is there any other (better) changer that can be connected to the RNS-E?

It's done in the CD changer.

In theory any aftermarket CD changer that can have an adapter between it's connections and the standard VAG CD changer connections can be used.

The CD changer mainly connects to the B connector on the RNS-E (the exception being the power ground):
B8 - Left audio (analog)
B9 - Right audio (analog)
B2 - Audio ground
B12 - CD clock (for the control data to/from the CD changer)
B11 - CD control data in
B6 - CD control data out
B4 - permanent +12V
B10 - switched +12V to CD changer
D12 - CD changer power ground

[MikeFish]

Thanks Dave, that's useful to know.

Has anybody tried this before? Either changed for a better changer (sound quality wise) or one with a higher capacity for discs? I'm wondering if I install a 10 or 12 discs changer if I will have the option to select discs 7 and above on he RNS-E menu.

[MikeFish]

Also, does anybody know who actually makes the standard changer?

[PetrolDave]

I'm wondering if I install a 10 or 12 discs changer if I will have the option to select discs 7 and above on he RNS-E menu.

IIRC you used to be able to get adapters for e.g. Sony, Clarion,... CD changers with more than 6 CDs but at least one of them used to be limited to using the first 6 CDs.

What's the problem with the sound quality of the OE CD changer?

[MikeFish]

I've spent thousands on speakers, amps, crossovers, processors, etc to get an audiophile sound. Whilst I've got it to the point where I think it sounds impressive for a standard head unit and standard speaker locations I can't help feeling that I can still squeeze a better sound from the front end without going down the aftermarket head unit route. I could easily put a top of the range Pioneer or Alpine unit in but thy will spoil the standard look. I'm pretty sure the standard CD player can be improved on.
Also the capacity is a bit limiting. Ideally I'd like a hard drive based player, like you have with the AMI, but it won't let me play my lossless music collection (just losy MP3s as far as I know). So I'm stuck with CDs and 6 is not great deal. I still use the SD cards occasionally but there is a big drop in sound quality, less obvious though with badly recorded dance music.

[PetrolDave]

So I'm stuck with CDs and 6 is not great deal.

Especially as you don't get any album or track info (no an aftermarket CD changer won't fix that, it's a limitation of the data interface between the changer and the RNS-E).

Ever thought of using the audio Aux In and connecting a device to that via RCAs which will allow you to play lossless files? You'll lose the ability to control it from the RNS-E but get the audio quality you're looking for.

[MikeFish]

I've thought of a similar set up. My alpine processor also has digital inputs so I put an old laptop in the boot and used a digital output straight into the processor. I installed the software version of a Squeezebox (Softsqueeze) on to the laptop along with Slimserver. Then I used my iPad to control the server via an aftermarket app that I use at home to control my Slim Transporter. This worked quite well except for the ad hoc network between the iPad and laptop. It kept dropping out and then I had trouble reconnecting. I read about windows 7 and ad hoc network issues with certain wireless adapters. Also, the iPad was too big to fit into the B7 dashboard (and of course went away from the whole stealthy looki have at the moment).
The new iPad mini would get around this and fit nicely into the dash but still means losing the RNS-E which I don't want to do. I can't think of any other way of controlling an external source easily whilst still being able to drive. This kind of brings me back to a Car PC or aftermarket head unit (sat nav etc still required).
So back to I proving the CD changer, not ideal as isai previously, I'm used to having my whole music collection available when driving but if I want to at the moment I have to stick to MP3s.