Clarion Corporation announced a new navigation deck that supports Hi-Res Audio FLAC files and that works with the industry’s first all digital car audio system.

The new in-dash double DIN NX706 is compatible with Clarion’s new Full Digital Sound Components system that keeps the signal digital through to the speakers without the need for an amplifier or digital-to-audio converters.

“With the growing trend toward high-resolution lossless audio, we designed the NX706 for customers who want the absolute best possible sound quality from their car audio system,” said Clarion VP Marketing and Product Planning Allen Gharapetian.

It supports 96kHz audio and uses TOSLINK (a standard digital optical connection) output to connect to other components. It also has a 7-inch WVGA touch screen, HDMI, two USB inputs and a 15-band parametric eq with low pass and high pass filters.

Users also get Bluetooth, Pandora control and backup camera input with audio. The NX706 is also SiriusXM ready. Suggested retail price is $799.99.

Clarion’s Gharapetian said of Clarion’s FDS system, “This full digital signal capability from source to speaker is an industry first for aftermarket car audio systems and the sound quality provided by it is breathtaking. To push the envelope further, we implemented an audiophile quality 15-band parametric EQ for our customers to achieve that ‘perfect’ sound.”

Under the FDS system the digital signal is divided into 6 digital signals that are sent to a digital processor and transferred to a 6 layer voice coil that directly drives the speakers. It incorporates the drive circuit into the speakers so there’s no need for an amplifier.

The audio signal for each channel in the system remains digital all the way to the voice coil, ensuring that high-resolution digital audio is maintained without loss or added noise and artifacts from analog connections, said Clarion.

The NX706 and FDS system will be on display at CES January 6-9 at the Westgate Lobby adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. More details on how the FDS system works is expected to be revealed at that time.