Clarion DRZ9255 (HX-D2)

Enjoy your music like it was intended to be heard

No other source unit combines the DRZ9255’s dedication to pure sonic performance with signal processing power at this level. The 24-bit 96kHz D/A converter recreates music without any phase shift or attenuation - the result is silky smooth, incredibly life-like and detailed sound that deserves the name Clarion. The incredible accuracy of the time alignment, parametric equalization and built-in crossovers make it easier than ever to tune your system perfectly. Housed in a copper plated chassis and powered by an external DC-DC power supply, the DRZ9255 is the only choice for the true audio enthusiast.

• Dual 24-bit / 96 kHz Sampling Digital-to-Analog Burr-Brown Converters and DSP

• Built-In 4-Way Crossovers

• 5-Band Parametric Equalizer

• Digital Time Alignment for Each Line Level Output

• 8-Channel/4-Volt Gold Plated Oxygen-Free Copper RCA Outputs

• 0.5dB-Step Electronic Volume Adjustment Circuit

• Copper Plated Chassis

• External DC/DC Converter

• CeNET Control of Optional CD Changer, TV Tuner and iPod Interface

• Two 2-Channel AUX Inputs

• Zinc Die-Cast Faceplate

• Fiber Optic Input/Output

• Vacuum Florescent Display

• 18FM/6AM Presets

• Remote Control Included

Conventional CD Players Can Only Reproduce Frequencies Up to Around 20 kHz

The spiral pattern on CDs represents numbers (“digit” means “number”). These numbers represent measurements of an audio signal (and other data). When a digital recording is made, measurements can be made 44,100 times each second (per channel). At that sampling rate, frequencies up to around 20 kHz can be recorded… so the frequency range of conventional CD players barely extends over 20 kHz.

High-Frequency Harmonics Add Richness and Depth to Sound

Why can’t conventional CDs encode data for frequencies over the limit of around 20 kHz? Because the people who set the CD standard believed that no one could hear those high frequencies. If such frequencies were on a conventional CD, the filters in a conventional CD player would remove those frequencies. Furthermore, analog filters can cause phase distortion of the signals that go through them, causing the high frequencies that do come out of the player to come out at the wrong times. Ironically, high-frequency harmonics can affect the details and the depth of sound.

96 kHz Oversampling Enables Reproduction That Is More Faithful to the Original Source

The 96 kHz digital anti-imaging filter interpolates samples into the audio signal from the disc at a speed more than twice as fast as the CD standard sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. This is the first such digital filter designed for vehicle audio. Without oversampling, the signal from a CD must be filtered in the analog domain to reduce high-frequency noise, and such analog filters cause phase (time) distortion. Oversampling filters are free from phase distortion, so they deliver more musical detail and more of the realistic resonances of real live sound.

Copper Plated Chassis Reduces Distortion and Noise

The use of a copper plated chassis minimizes the creation of spurious electrical currents that could distort the audio signal. Additionally, the copper plating can reduce noise because it creates an insulating shield. Zinc has a high specific gravity, high rigidity, and low resonance, so a die-cast zinc panel can reduce distortion caused by vibration. Because components such as the power supply, VFD devices for the display, and the drive mechanism can cause noise in the signal, those components are externally positioned away from the audio signal.

Burr-Brown Advanced Segment 24-Bit Digital-to-Analog Converter

After the data from the disc goes through the 96-kHz filter, it is processed by a Burr-Brown advanced segment 24-bit DAC with superior dynamics and resistance to clock jitter. The Digital-to-Analog conversion is highly accurate because the DAC’s internal structure is a four DAC configuration operating on an L–R differential signal.

Turning the Display OFF to Turn Sound Quality ON

When the DRZ9255 plays a CD or other source, its display can be turned off to minimize interference from circuits that can otherwise degrade sound quality.

The DRZ9255’s DC / DC Converter Keeps Great Sound In and Keeps Noise Out

The DRZ9255 is truly an audiophile source unit. Its external DC / DC converter is comprised of components of the highest quality from its input wiring through its chassis to its output fuses. This power supply gives the DRZ9255 both strength and precision, and its six-sided shielded casing repels noise even during high-load bursts. To prevent even the smallest vibration, the power supply is wrapped in a die-cast aluminum casing and a copper plated chassis. Toroidal choke coils inside the power supply minimize induced vehicle noise and loss of power. A large capacity low impedance condenser allows this external component to supply pure power. Clarion takes this one step beyond by equipping this power supply with a gold plated connection terminal to further minimize power loss.

The World’s Best 0.7 Cm per Step Digital Arrival Time Alignment

This function lets you delay signals going through as many as eight channels so sound from all speakers can arrive at one location simultaneously. Arrival times can be optimized for the driver, front passenger, both front seats, rear seats, or all seats. You can quickly and easily select the system’s acoustic pattern… or choose settings based on the type of vehicle or number of passengers. Signals can be delayed for differences in distance of up to 500 centimeters (over 16 feet) in increments of 7 millimeters (approximately one forth of an inch).

TUNER SECTION
Frequency Bands
FM: (MHz) 0.2 MHz steps	87.9 to 107.9
AM: (kHz) 10 kHz steps	530 to 1,710
FM Usable Sensitivity (dBf)	9
FM 50 dB Quieting Sensitivity (dBf)	15
FM Alternate Channel Selectivity (dBf)	70
FM Stereo Separation @1 kHz (dB)	35
FM Stereo Freq. Resp. @ 3 dB (Hz)	30 to 15,000
CD SECTION
Wow/Flutter (WRMS)	Below measurable limit
S/N Ratio (dB)	112
Frequency Response (Hz)	5 to 20,000
Dynamic Range (dB)	100
Harmonic Distortion (%)	0.003
GENERAL
Dimensions (W × H × D), mm	178 × 50 × 178
DC/DC Converter (W × H × D)mm	175 × 43 × 99
Remote Control (W × H × D), mm	52 × 125 × 12
Power Consumption: less than	1.4A
Speaker Impedance	4 (4 to 8 allowable)

Car audio - Top 10 SQ Head Unit

We should start with the caveat that it's incredibly difficult to rank these units and it's almost unfair to each to compare them to another. Some of the products were made in different times, some are made to work as part of a system—especially in that case how do you put these products in any kind of order?—and they have different price points plus various levels of complexity to boot. Our top ten list is definitely not meant to be hierarchical. We'll let you decide. Go to our Forums page where you will see a longer list of source units and cast your vote. Or add to the list. We'll compile the numbers and present the enthusiasts' pick for best SQ source units later this year.

1. Alpine 7909
Introduced in 1989, Alpine's 7909 is still a sought after radio by audio enthusiasts. When you're talking about this CD player, we thought who better to ask than SpeakerWorks' Eric Holdaway who used one in his legendary Buick Grand National. He had this to say: "It was easy to use, good looking and sounded great.  It was the first unit I knew of that used Dual DACs, 18x oversampling and had an 18-bit processor instead of the regular 16 that all other CD players used. The AM/FM tuner was the very best tuner I have ever used. I wish Alpine would go back to that tuner!!! Looking back at a 7909, it is kind of funny that the unit was a pullout… Big ol' handle hanging off the face—man was I glad they had a lock in kit for those!!!"

2. Pioneer  DEX-P99RS
With sound quality increasingly taking a back seat to other aspects of car audio and electronics, it's nice to see a company like Pioneer continuing to maintain a high standard for audio playback. We recently evaluated their new top of the line CD player. Read Howie Liwanag's review here. 

3. Alpine DVI-9990 (plus PXI-H990 Multimedia Manager)
In some people's opinion, the most sophisticated source unit and processor ever made. The first-ever DVD-Audio system designed for in-car use, and the first to fully and properly implement digital signal processing entirely in the digital domain, without any unnecessary D/A and A/D conversions along the signal path. Also the first to implement auto-tuning and automatic road EQ-ing in real time. Ask any Alpine fan and they say that it remains the ultimate mobile audio source unit and processor system, not soon to be surpassed. Drawbacks? It was expensive and you have to use the H990. Read contributor Bob Norvelle's review here.

4. McIntosh MX4000/MDA4000
Legendary McIntosh heritage translated into the mobile audio realm. Classic and timeless McIntosh design and incredible build quality. The only head unit ever made with a silkscreened glass face and aluminum machined knobs. The looks and user interface are second to none! Of course, you either love or hate the looks of McIntosh products; not a lot in the middle. Those who love it say the head unit makes other head units look like silly toys with a myriad of useless LEDs and non-tactile buttons. The first source unit in car audio to use a separate state-of-the-art 20 bit D/A converter. This combo may be the most admired and respected source unit for CD sound quality in the history of audio. 

5 & 6. Pioneer 800/880 PRS and Alpine 9887 
Feature editor Bing Xu voted for these units for a very good reason: "I like these options because they are SQ heads for the common guy, very reasonably priced. And while their on-board processing capability is limited, you can still do a mild active system with them. As standalone head units, they are also very clean, especially considering the price points.  These two go hand in hand for me when I think of moderately priced SQ head units. That’s what makes them relevant on this list in my opinion."


7. Pioneer ODR system
The acronym stands for Optical Digital Reference, but needs no introduction or explanation to serious audio enthusiasts the world over. The audio signal stays within the digital domain from CD player to amp. No noise, no deterioration of sound. A legion of ODR fans swear by its sound quality. Then add to it one of the sexiest and most elegant cosmetic designs and you have perhaps the most desirable product/system of them all.

8. Clarion DRZ9255 (Clarion HX-D2)
This understated beauty is more than good looks with its Dual 24-bit / 96 kHz Sampling Digital-to-Analog Burr-Brown Converters and DSP. Clarion took the best of the DRX-9255, made it even better and then put it in a new package to create the DRZ-9255. Most will probably agree that its an improvement over its predecessor in terms of cosmetics and usability and, as Bing says, it also takes CDRs more easily. Aside from the setup side, it's very easy to use. However, trying to use it as an actual DSP is really slow and labor intensive, not to mention its capabilities are somewhat limited compared to a full outboard DSP.  Some say they are prone to certain noise issues. 

9 & 10. Denon DCT-Z1 and Nakamichi CD700 & MB100
We love the Denon for its looks and its SQ prowess. It has balanced ps2 style output jacks, very classy and solid looking design, exceedingly easy to use, but obviously, very pricey and has virtually zero expansion capability. The Nakamichi is similar to Denon in terms of attributes, but perhaps not as reliable, especially the CD transport system.