I'll be finnishing up my install within the next two weeks! I figured I'd post my set-up for those who need suggestions. Right now, I'm running aftermarket equipment on the stock HU. I will be putting an after market HU in for the following reasons:
1) Even the best LOC (line out converter) will sound a bit off. When you amplify such a low voltage signal to something useable for an after market amp, you'll end up with fequency gaps. Areas were the sounds seems out of tune or slightly distorted. This may not pose an issue for some people, but for us true audiophiles, it just won't work.
2) The stock HU DOES have some signal processing. Wired straight from the HU to the LOC to the amps... stuff isn't right. I hooked up a FSA (full spectrum analyzer) and found that the stock HU is VERY unbalanced. Even with my AudioControl 31 band 6 channel (w/ 2 parametric EQs per channel) I found it difficult to balance to an enjoyable listening experience.
3) The stock HU has ISSUES! CDs skip when it's cold, radio reception SUCKS, the change track function on the steering wheel more often then not changes the volume level, and much more.

My set-up:
Pioneer Premer DEH 860MP HU
Focal 165 K2P Fronts
Focal 690 CV Polyglass 6X9 Rears
JLAudio 12w6 V2 Sub
ArcAudio 4150 XXK 4CH A/B Amp
ArcAudio 1500 XXK Sub Amp
AudoControl DQS Digital EQ with in dash controller

***edit: I forgot to add 2 1fd caps

I'll post pics and reviews when the install is complete.
=)

 

As many goodies you're using in your car I'm surprised you're not using a Pioneer DEQ-P9 and DEX-P9.
Nice choice of equipment by the way, even though I'm not fond of Focal sound, but good speakers non the less.

 

this is the reason I am getting the JL CleanSweep.

 

those who have heard focal, how would you describe the sound?

the pioneer 860 is nice but doesnt match the dash.. not sure if that matters. i went with an alpine 9835 for this reason.

 

Focal = bright and mechanical, no warmth to them. Just my opinion.

 

Which speakers would you recommend for "warmth"?

 

Do you have a system at home? If you do what speakers do you listen to?

 

Thanks for the comments. I choose Focal for their ability to be INCREDIBLY loud without distorting. I have a 31 band EQ per channel, so getting the warm fuzzy should be pretty easy. I agree with the bright and mechanical statement to a degree, but if you have a deck with a 13+ band EQ, then these speakers can sound truly incredible.

 

Thats really not the point of the EQ but to each their own. No matter how much you dial in a speaker with the EQ it will still have some of the original character. You can only turn down certain frequencies you can't dial in warmth without losing something. Like I said earlier Focal is a good company and are well known for their quality, but just not my cup of tea.

 

That's cool.

 

thanks for the input, I'm glad I didn't use my stock HU.