Well, the Focal 165KPs are in the front and the S-Pods are populated with Focal CA-130s. Suddenly, it's clear the the stock head unit sucks. True that the vast majority of music most of us play will sound pretty good with the stock HU, but all it takes is a mid volume rendition of the cellos in Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" to bring the HU to it's knees. No more of that underload is going to be going to the Focals.

Current options include Pioneer Premier DEHP670MP and DEHP8MP.

Both have higher and cleaner power than the stock unit. The "8" claims 27W RMS and the "670" claims 22.

Preout voltage is 4 for the"670" and 6.5 for the "8".

I guess if I want to stay with a HU and not go for an amp, the more powerful unit might be the best option, but it comes at about $150 more than the 670. OTOH, if I use the higher priced unit with the 6.5 V preout level, might that actually provide a cleaner signal to an outboard amp? Maybe 4 V is enough.

Anyone had experience or knowledge of both of these HUs or the factors I have laid out? Thanks.