I Upgraded my DSP! Dayton Audio, to Arc Audio! Was it worth it...let's find out!

My boy GAVE ME his Arc Audio DSP! I have the BEST Friends around!

[@ajazzyluv]

Sounds absolutely perfect......You dailing that tune in very well Thanks for sharing

[@Ahm-Creative]

Thank you bro! If you view some of my latest videos, you will hear how it sounds with my final tune. I am very happy with it, and really glad you like it too.

[@jovenlara5868]

What a nice gesture from your friend, congatulations my man. Cheers from México!

[@Ahm-Creative]

I'm STILL in shock! We've been friends for years, but still! I am forever grateful, thankful and appreciative! He wanted me to get every bit possible out of my system, and gave me that final push that I needed. I'm done tuning it now, and will add some updated videos soon. Stay Tuned 🙂

[@F1Lionshare]

The car audio brotherhood is real! When I moved out of my house 20yrs ago I gave the HS school kid next door my JBL Gti 1200 subs and the custom box I had built. Then another 10yrs later I moved again and gave my neighbor an un-used, BRAND NEW eclipse head unit and DSP or GPS unit all by Eclipse.

[@Ahm-Creative]

Eclipse head unit! Bro.....I LOVED Eclipse head units....they were a must have for any car audio guy worth his salt! Nice! You're a solid dude, so I'm not all that shocked by your story of generosity 👏🏿👏🏿✊🏿

[@TickleFingers]

What Helix did your homie get? Because honestly, the Arc Audio PS8 is on par with the Helix Pro and Ultra. I don't really view that as an upgrade as much as a side step to a different brand. I know two people that are winning with the PS8 in competition. But, hey...... You got one heck of a DSP for free! That PS8 is no joke and is worth every penny when you get it dialed in.

[@Ahm-Creative]

He has the Helix Pro MK3. I agree.... but, he did sound a bit better in the last video we did...hopefully you saw it a few weeks ago. I've got it dialed in to "perfection" now. It took me a minute to get used to it, coming from the Dayton, but now I'm finally set and done with tweaking.

[@SeanOMatic]

I got the Arc PSM Pro and that little thing is amazing. Uses the new ARC DNA software, which is really nice.

[@Ahm-Creative]

I'm very happy with my upgrade. I'm getting so much more out of my system than I would have thought.

[@donjaun540]

You have a very nice friend. Don't hesitate to make him a friendly gesture here and there. Dinner, if he's married maybe a surprise birthday gift 🎁 say movie 🍿 tickets gift cards. He loves that you love and respect something he has pation for. 👍 I run Tru amps and a single RE xxx 15" like your friend 😮👍😎

[@Ahm-Creative]

Oh definitely! We've been friends for over 20 years, so we have each other's backs. At a minimum, when he visits Vegas, he never stays in hotels....he's here with me! And yes, Tru amps are CLEAN, and RE subs are better than most people know. I almost went with an RE sub, but landed on the Stereo Integrity SQL-12, and I couldn't be happier.

[@charleshamilton6177]

Congratulations on the DSP update. Did you try and run the dac directly to the dsp.

[@Ahm-Creative]

Thank you! I was going to, but with my current configuration, I am using both fr/rear inputs, which I can't do going directly into the dsp. I believe I can use the ARC with just the FR inputs, but I would also lose using my AM/FM radio if I did it that way, so right now, I'm not. My buddy does his like that, but I haven't heard it without him doing it that way, to make a comparison. Some say you can tell, others say not so much, but I will see soon enough.

[@mrbiggz8526]

That’s awesome bro , I like arc a lot and that’s not a friend that gave it to you that’s basically your brother.

[@Ahm-Creative]

I was REALLY happy with the Dayton, and didn't care to get a better dsp as I really thought it wouldn't make THAT much of a difference, but Clearly I was wrong! I won't say that my Dayton didn't have me sounding good, but this Arc is a cut above. Yessir! That is my brother. After more than 25 years, indeed he is!!

[@MisterManiac777]

I did not remember that song, but I remember the video where Mike turned into a rabbit!

[@Ahm-Creative]

LOL I had totally forgotten about the song, until I heard it at my cousin's birthday party. The bass was solid, and I thought "lemme see what it sounds like in my car". Now, it's my go-to demo and tuning song, because the mid bass is so strong, and the vocals are clean.

[@milesbachelor8747]

How do you feel the Arc works with different amp brands, or does it matter? I’ve always wondered if there was any loss of fictionality. Your buddy must’ve gotten the Helix Ultra, only way I can see giving up the Arc

[@Ahm-Creative]

I don't think it matters when it comes to amps, other than how much voltage input an amp can take. For example, my Dayton can only take 2V in, and gives 4V out, whereas the Arc can accept 2, 5, and 9V inputs...if I'm not mistaken, and you can regulate or choose the output as well. Sound wise, it's not a HUGE difference compared to my Dayton. Don't get me wrong, the sound is a bit more refined, but if you don't have a tuned ear, you may not notice....but then again, this isn't made for people without tuned ears, so I guess it's worth it...LOL!! If I paid for this, I would NOT be happy because the jump wasn't extreme enough for ME to justify the cost. It wasn't dialed in "perfectly" when I created this video...I was new to the Arc, and was happy with the initial sound. I have another video coming out soon with a better tune, but it still wasn't "Perfect" like I have it as of right now. After my next video, I will create an updated video with my "perfect" tune so you can hear the difference. My buddy upgraded to the Helix Pro MK3, and it sounds great to me. If you saw our last video (a few videos back), I thought it sounded amazing.

[@milesbachelor8747]

@@Ahm-Creative Yes! That’s my thinking. If I’m just beginning to hear stuff never heard before, it won’t hurt to get a mid-level DSP if only to teach my ears what to listen for. I know good amps are the foundation and you need a DSP to unlock their potential. But like you, would like to get that tuning skill down. Maybe something a bit more than your Dayton.

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@milesbachelor8747 I was considering the JL Audio TWK-88, but honestly didn't think it would give me that much more than the Dayton. In all honesty, the only real issue with the Dayton is, it has a bad ground loop, or engine noise....but once I got that taken care of, people really couldn't tell I was using such a cheap device.

[@850CANE]

Does the Arc have the flexibility of the Dayton? My friend has an Audiocontrol but prefers the Dayton because of the flexibility and ease of use. Thanks. Currently haveva Dayton myself but have 3 Arc Audio amps for my mids and highs so if i upgrade I'd like to go Arc if i wouldn't lose and features. Thanks

[@Ahm-Creative]

I LOVED my Dayton, but I am also loving the refined sound I am getting from the Arc (better videos coming soon). With that said, unfortunately, the Arc does not have the flexibility of the Dayton, with an app. I miss that Dayton app....it was so easy to use. You must be plugged into the Arc via usb to your laptop. Otherwise, there's nothing you can do more than preset switch and volume control via the director (remote controller).

[@850CANE]

@@Ahm-Creative which model Arc is it? I see the ps8 and a small DSM.

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@850CANE it's the PS8 Pro with the Controller.

[@MisterManiac777]

Been wanting to get rid of the Match PP82DSP, but outside of the MiniDSP I do not see another processor that is a true upgrade.

[@Ahm-Creative]

To be completely honest with you, it's not a HUGE jump. I do get to refine my sound a little bit more, but when comparing the price difference between this and the Dayton I had, I would not be happy if I paid for it. I do get a little more detail, which is the ultimate goal, but it's not like my sound was trash before it. When I'd give demos at SQ shows, even experienced SQ guys couldn't tell which processor I was using, until I told them...and when I did tell them, they were very impressed. I still believe equalization is equalization, and I've used anything between 5-37 band eq's, and I've liked the sound in all of them. I was perfectly happy with my Dayton, but I am loving this Arc as well....especially now that I've gotten my tune "perfected".

[@jasonbrenner7184]

​@@Ahm-Creative J Maniac is my other profile FYI following you on both channels. In the door pockets I am adding a custom Seas driver used in studio monitors, and the driver from the Klipsch 700M under the seats. I am using a Dayton 4" Neodymium driver as a second subwoofer in the dash! You inspired me, best SQ channel on KZbin!

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@jasonbrenner7184 Wow brother, thank you!! I still love this game, and that is why I'm here...to share what I've built, to learn and get everybody as excited about it as I still am. I hope you post videos when you finish your build. I've seen the Seas speakers, but didn't get a chance to hear them...but there's an SQ competitor near me who has them, and I will get a demo at the next show.

[@surajbhan6549]

HELIX .3S VS ARC PS8PRO WHICH SOUND IS BETTER ?

[@Ahm-Creative]

Honestly, the sound quality is the same. At this level, it just comes down to ease of use for you, and how well you can tune. I've heard the Alpine, Arc, Helix, Mosconi and Zapco DSP's, and the sound quality was the same across the board. Even with guys upgrading from one, to a Helix...I did not notice a huge change, if any at all.

[@marathonbaker]

Now that you have the SQ build, do you get the itch to push a little toward SPL?

[@Ahm-Creative]

Oh, this is an SQL build brother! If you've seen my other videos, this thing moves some air! Only guessing, but I know my 1 sub has gotta be giving me 140dB, or close to it. I'll be posting updated videos soon, to demo my final tune, as well as some window flexing bass 😁

[@drrckhamilton]

So when do we get a look at the dsp.

[@Ahm-Creative]

It's hidden....my install isn't messy, but also not pretty enough to show. It's the PS8 Pro though.

[@drrckhamilton]

@@Ahm-Creative Sweet!! Really nice piece for sure. Using the PSC remote?

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@drrckhamilton only to switch presets. I created a 2nd preset for passengers that switches the time alignment so they get the best sound. I set the master volume at 0dB, because I still use my steering wheel controls for volume.

[@drrckhamilton]

@@Ahm-Creative Nice!!

[@kewlbug]

broo please let me tune this.. Ask your boy D about me. Bradley Smith

[@Ahm-Creative]

Thank you brother, but no thank you. If you, or anyone else tunes it for me, I'd never learn. Plus, this was the beginning of tuning, and the video doesn't do it justice.....you should ask Deron or some of the other SQ guys how it sounds....😉

[@kewlbug]

@@Ahm-Creative I've heard about your car.. why do you think I keep wanting to tune it? You should ask Deron about MY car. ;) he's heard it. I was hoping we'd work something out. trying to get a Dayton for my wifes car. Weird I can't seem to get a hold of you.

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@kewlbug hahaha who told you about my car, to where they think I'd need a retune? I can only think of one name, but I won't say it here. But, no one (but the unnamed) had anything to say about my car in regards to needing a tune, and I know why. Other than that, it's been all thumbs up. Yeah, I asked about your car..... Do you have any videos here, or elsewhere, where I could hear it? My email address is on my profile (about page) info here....other's have gotten in touch with me that way.

[@kewlbug]

@@Ahm-Creative A global EQ aint a "tune". Ain't nobody gonna talk shit to your face about it. But if you're happy with it, that's good.

[@Ahm-Creative]

@@kewlbug who said anything about a global eq, or a global eq being a tune? And yes, people do talk about it, and I respect it more than people just saying they can tune my car, without showing me why?

[@jasx1485]

Great content as always 👍

[@Ahm-Creative]

Thank you so much! I'm trying to get better as I go.

[@jasx1485]

Ive been eyeing the arc audio blackbird dsp

[@Ahm-Creative]

I haven't read up on it yet, but Arc products are definitely legit! I'm sure you'll be more than happy.

[@jasx1485]

I just bought the blackbird