Amplifier Recommendation

[bitjockey]

Hey all--

For the hell of it, I plugged my factory SC-811 back in to play around with a changer that I had. Oh boy. I had forgotten how full and rich and clear the system in these cars is... especially now with the upgraded Infinitys in the doors. I've known for a while that my Kenwood KDC-MP522 can't handle 8 speakers well, but I've just dealt with it. Now that I remember what it USED to sound like WITHOUT a subwoofer, I'm hooked.

My question is, I'd like to go either of three ways. The first is something I was thinking about after I examined the wallet. The second is probably what I'll end up doing after trying the first. The third is just $$$.

1) Make a DIN adapter in reverse-- RCA front preout from my Kenwood head unit, to the factory amp under the dash... would this work? If you can go one way I don't see why you can't go the other. Somebody prove me wrong, otherwise I think this is a good option, since the factory system sounds wonderful. *edit* After thinking about this, I'd need three preouts on my head unit. Two for front/rear, one for the sub. I'm still intrigued by this option though...

2) Add an external amp (I like my current Kenwood 800W for my sub, I'll probably go with Kenwood again unless someone recommends otherwise) using my front preout on the headunit (rear is used as non-fading for my sub). But this car has 8 speakers... how does that work with an aftermarket amp, I wanna make sure and have all of them running, I suppose its simply the wiring complexity of this that makes me not want to try it. I do have an old JBL GTQ 190 amp laying around, it does 30x4 @ 4 ohms, and 45x4 @ 2 ohms. Would that even be worth messing with?

3) Change head units. I've had my eye on the Alpine 9835 for its 26W RMS V-Drive amplifier (requires a lead direct to the battery), plus its XM support (I'm sick of Sirius). However, its $350. And I'm not sure if it would have enough power to deal with all 8 speakers.

What do you think I should do? Basically I just want that fullness of the sound back, as my system is rather weak now without the sub. Here's the setup so far:

Kenwood KDC-MP522 60x4 head unit, 2 preouts

Infinity Perfect 5.25" in the front doors

Kenwood KAC-7201 800W amplifier

Rockford Fosgate HE 12" subwoofer

12" Q-logic sealed box

Thanks for all the help.

[mAydAy]

Robin -

I ran into the same problem. I just picked up a new deck used for a good price, a really high end Panasonic, with 3 preouts (One for sub, one for front and one for rear..) and with that I'll hook it up to a 4chan amp and the subs.

Another idea is to run the two preamp outs on your deck to a 4chan amp, and THEN use a hi-low convertor on one set of the speakers and split the signal and run the sub off of that and use it as a crossover for one of your sets of speakers. Thats what I'd probably do in your position, a high-low convertor just splices into a pair of speakers in the wiring and splits the signal, like a crossover almost, and allow you to run a subwoofer off it without a preamp output to it. A high-low convertor is around $20-30 so its not going to break the bank, either.

-Andy

[potroast]

Your theory with using a LOC to hookup to the factory amp would work.

The 9835 is an excellent head, but I still wouldn't use it to power mains. You can't beat an amp!

I do not recommend kenwood amps. PPI makes good amps, for example.

Wiring is fairly easy. Stock setup runs 8 speakers on 4 channels at 4 ohm. That's perfect for a 4 channel amp.

[bitjockey]

Thanks, guys. Only problem with using speaker-level hookups for a sub is most setups I've heard like that don't sound nearly as good as a preout. Or am I just totally wrong?

[AnthonyR]

Thanks, guys. Only problem with using speaker-level hookups for a sub is most setups I've heard like that don't sound nearly as good as a preout. Or am I just totally wrong?

←

Yup, a preout for a sub sounds WAY better than line level convertor. A preout just goes so much lower and is alot more crisp.

[potroast]

Yup, a preout for a sub sounds WAY better than line level convertor. A preout just goes so much lower and is alot more crisp.

←

same for the highs/mains... A new head with good preouts is gonna be a lot better all-around.

[Bing_0]

agreed, always try to go wtih pre outs when you can, instead of LOC.

but i will say about this, when it comes to amp selection, unless you ahve super top of hte line stuff through out your car and you are atrying to win competitions, as long as you get a decent brand, i.e., not pyramid, legacy or something, you will be fine. that means amps like kenwood, sony, pioneer etc etc, will do fine. no need to always get "good" amps.

b

[550]

haha, yeah you might as well burn your wallet now anyways ...

I agree with bing.

[bitjockey]

So what kinda cable would I need for the reverse-DIN setup?

Gonna go prowling around the archives... try and beat me to it :)

[bitjockey]

OK...

Searched around, found a few 6-Pin Female DIN connectors online. Time to hit radio shack tomorrow and see if I can get one locally... a few questions.

Will the 5V preout voltage on my head unit be too high for the amp, which is used to seeing the probably pretty low preout voltages from the SC-811?

And will I need to modify my existing harness (Metra) when I do this...?

[AnthonyR]

I highly doubt you will find one locally. I got the 6pins off www.partsexpress.com

You are looking for a 6pin 240degree.

about the voltage thing, that would be tough, unless there is a gain control somewhere (doubtful) another option would be some sort of eq or signal processor