How to hook up an amp and sub-woofer setup without affecting the existing Premium sys
Senior Member
Joined: 01-27-2006
Posts: 320
From: Dublin, California
The output of the HU Head unit is "Low-Level". RCA inputs of most amplifiers are "Low-Level". As long as the signal level (meaning low level) is maintained, from source to amp, NO converter is needed.
A Line Output Converter is used when there is NO source low level output available. This is why it is a converter. To convert the "High-Level" output back down to "Low-Level". Without the converter, you will either fry the input of the sub amp, or the output of the original amp, or both.
It is your preference where to tap into.
Tap into the output of the head unit, and you just need to splice in, solder, whichever, to your input of the sub amp.
Tap into the speaker output of the stock amp, you will need a converted to bring the signal back down to "low-level".
A Line Output Converter is used when there is NO source low level output available. This is why it is a converter. To convert the "High-Level" output back down to "Low-Level". Without the converter, you will either fry the input of the sub amp, or the output of the original amp, or both.
It is your preference where to tap into.
Tap into the output of the head unit, and you just need to splice in, solder, whichever, to your input of the sub amp.
Tap into the speaker output of the stock amp, you will need a converted to bring the signal back down to "low-level".
Senior Member
Joined: 07-26-2007
Posts: 1,789
From: Pekin, Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 06-16-2007
Posts: 1,259
From: Illinois
The output of the HU Head unit is "Low-Level". RCA inputs of most amplifiers are "Low-Level". As long as the signal level (meaning low level) is maintained, from source to amp, NO converter is needed.
A Line Output Converter is used when there is NO source low level output available. This is why it is a converter. To convert the "High-Level" output back down to "Low-Level". Without the converter, you will either fry the input of the sub amp, or the output of the original amp, or both.
It is your preference where to tap into.
Tap into the output of the head unit, and you just need to splice in, solder, whichever, to your input of the sub amp.
Tap into the speaker output of the stock amp, you will need a converted to bring the signal back down to "low-level".
A Line Output Converter is used when there is NO source low level output available. This is why it is a converter. To convert the "High-Level" output back down to "Low-Level". Without the converter, you will either fry the input of the sub amp, or the output of the original amp, or both.
It is your preference where to tap into.
Tap into the output of the head unit, and you just need to splice in, solder, whichever, to your input of the sub amp.
Tap into the speaker output of the stock amp, you will need a converted to bring the signal back down to "low-level".
You could use something like Smoke Wagon posted if you didn't want an output converter.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-iK7fzPF...CLR2SW&tp=2610
Senior Member
Joined: 01-01-2008
Posts: 991
From: Windsor, Ca
the directions by the original author will work. But for many of us, stripping a RCA wire and soldering one end to the factory wiring harness may seem a bit intimidating. However, if you use a converter, you can CONVERT speaker wire to RCA wire to just plug-n-play in to your sub box's amp.
we werent trying to stray off topic...we were just trying to give people another option which might make stereo upgrades less intimidating for the novice DIY'er.
we werent trying to stray off topic...we were just trying to give people another option which might make stereo upgrades less intimidating for the novice DIY'er.
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
Um, why not just go to RadioShack and get some bare RCA connectors so you don't have to strip down an expensive, pre-made cable just to get to the connectors?
The original author is correct--this is NOT a how-to for using speaker-level inputs, it's for how to tap into the factory low-level (read: RCA) inputs for the factory amp/sub system.
The original author is correct--this is NOT a how-to for using speaker-level inputs, it's for how to tap into the factory low-level (read: RCA) inputs for the factory amp/sub system.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-21-2007
Posts: 175
From: Space
Line output converters for for speaker level input. The stock sub pioneer stuff you are splicing into is already low level.
expensive?
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
Compared to these, yeah:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2062472&cp
Why is everyone so on edge about this crap these days?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2062472&cp
Why is everyone so on edge about this crap these days?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-26-2007
Posts: 1,789
From: Pekin, Illinois
I don't think anyone is on edge, just want to get the best steup. While I will not claim to be some pro installer I will try to pass on the little bit of knowledge I have to help someone else out. You can either do it right or hack it up, your car........your choice.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-21-2007
Posts: 175
From: Space
Compared to these, yeah:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2062472&cp
Why is everyone so on edge about this crap these days?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2062472&cp
Why is everyone so on edge about this crap these days?
