VE RCA outputs/engine noise?

[UFO]

Hi Phreddy,

It seems that you have half the forum being satisfied customers of your work/products, and I'm wondering if I could become one of them ?

I have a VE International (MY10) wagon, and I'm very interested in getting decent audio preouts from the stock headunit (but still keep functions), but nearly everywhere I read there are issues with engine noise.

Do you have a product (or plan to have in the near future) that will give me true rca preout (of good quality) on a VE?

And secondly, are you planning on coming to Canberra soon ?
(I would always come to Sydney, but how long would the car be out of action for?)

Also, I would love to connect Iphone... and be able to control through steering wheel (and maybe even view info through the dash or console screen). Is this fantasy or reality?

[Phreddy]

Hmmmmm - yes I have installed the RCA output mod (true pre-amp outputs) into a VE SS - however, as experienced by most who have used LOCs - I have had an engine noise problem creep in...

I think I have a way to fix it up (I believe that the noise is entereing the stereo unit via the power feed, and because the buffer circuit I install takes its own power from inside the unit, then the noise is entering the buffer board....) The problem is though, that without a guinea-pig it's difficult to test theories...

(the noise presents as a faint alternator whine - undetectable when there's music playing, but if it's speech or silent passages, it seems to leap out at you.... It's exacerbated by installing an amplifier, as the overall dB gain through the system is higher - therefore the noise is amplified as well... )

As for iPhone connectivity integrated with the control buttons.... Well, there is Vlad from Unique Design Concepts, who came up with a very elegant solution for the VY/VZ stereo unit (a microprocessor controlled board integrated with the micros in the head unit itself, so display interface and control buttons work nicely) but he does sting a bit for that - and as far as I know, he has no plans at all for future development. He originally designed this for his son's VZ SS, and it ended up quite a big project. That's why he charges a bit, there was a huge amount of work put into it.

Anyhow - I can keep you posted on the developments with line out if you like.... Just keep an eye on the forum, I'll be announcing it properly once the wrinkles are ironed out.

Cheerz!

[UFO]

Sweet, thanks Phreddy. If you ever need a test mule I'm happy to provide mine... but the whole Sydney/Canberra thing might be tough to work out.

[k3v0]

I'm waiting for it to mate. I live in Sydney if that helps :P

[andyman]

I'm waiting for it to mate. I live in Sydney if that helps :P

even better, not wanting to sound rude, but the sooner someone steps in with a test car nudge nudge, the sooner these kits will be released,

thats just from me saying, i dont know if you are in contact with greg yet

[Phreddy]

G'day Andy - nice to see you pop in!

K3vo, what part of Syd are you in? I'm pretty well West, in Penriff Mate...

Shoot me a PM, or email phreddy@asr-audio.com.au - we might be able to work something out.

Cheerz!

[UFO]

I think I have a way to fix it up (I believe that the noise is entereing the stereo unit via the power feed, and because the buffer circuit I install takes its own power from inside the unit, then the noise is entering the buffer board....) The problem is though, that without a guinea-pig it's difficult to test theories...

(the noise presents as a faint alternator whine - undetectable when there's music playing, but if it's speech or silent passages, it seems to leap out at you.... It's exacerbated by installing an amplifier, as the overall dB gain through the system is higher - therefore the noise is amplified as well... )

bumpage .

Hey Phreddy, just wondering if you have any updates for VE owners and ironing out those prior issues with noise?

Still looking for amp install using factory head unit with real 'pre outs', but dont want background noise .

[Phreddy]

G'day again Kev, and UFO.

Well, this damn course I've been doing has kept me completely tied up the past several weeks, but it's on the wind-down now and will be finished real soon.

Would either of you like to work something out regarding this? I've been giving this some thought, and I do have a couple of techniques which might eliminate the problem, but as you know I'm unable to test them at the moment. If you're keen we can book something in...

UFO - I understand you're a little ways down the road, might not be real practical for you.... Hang in there though, it's definitely in progress and I'll be able to get fair-dinkum on all of this once I'm not tied up in a classroom five days a week...

Cheerz!

[UFO]

No worries man, just know I definitely want your services . Finish your course... the greater good, stick with it!

I visit family on a regular basis in Sydney (Hills District), so if you ever wanted to test things on my car over a weekend I'd be happy to meet up (just dont blow up my baby) .

[davey g-force]

Phreddy, I can be your test mule if you like. As you know, I'm in Sydney and I can come over on weekends.

I've been waiting for the RCA preout mod for ages and want to get some lighting done at the same time too...

FYI - I've actually heard the alternator whine once or twice through my FACTORY, unmodified VE sound sysytem. It's very feint but its there during quiet passages of music etc.
Can't believe Holden didn't sort that out...

[MySV6]

As soon as I get some cash for new speakers and an amp I'll be interested in getting the mod done too. Probably get you to install too lol

[tezza_vess]

I'm potentially in the queue as well, although on Ant's list as I'm in Perth. BTW, what sort of voltage level are you getting from these preouts?

[UFO]

just another bump a few months after the previous one, to see if any further news on this highly anticipated development for the VE .

happy to continue to wait patiently until kinks are ironed out, but I reckon this could be a gold mine for you mate (if you can get it to work as hoped).

[Phreddy]

UFO - I'll be in touch soon Mate...

[tezza_vess]

I'd be interested on the current status of this too.

[davey g-force]

Me too! Me too!

[UFO]

just another bump after a few more months to see if anything happening .

[dangergreen]

Hi Phreddy

Do you know how holden are feeding audio to the amp in the rear of the Calais V Sedans? I have one of the Calais V sportwagons, which doesn't come with the rear amp / subs, but I was thinking that my stereo would still have the same outputs available? Any ideas on this?
If not, would be very keen to explore your RCA outputs upgrade if available.

(As this is how you make a living, am happy to pay you something for any information you can provide)

Cheers

[Phreddy]

G'day guys.

First up I'll answer your question Danger....

As far as I know, the "subwoofer amp" fitted to upmarket models is simply driven from the rear speaker outputs. (there's basically a LOC built in to the amp at the input stage) They're rated at about 40W RMS I think, so they're nothing to get particularly excited about - there's still an integrated curciut power amp inside the box, so no particular quality level...

Now on to the RCA output thing... There's been somewhat of a breakthrough, in that the higher end units with the large screen (such as fitted to Calais, SSV, HSV, etc) doesn't seem to suffer from the noise! Over the weekend that's just passed I've modded the unit from a SSV ute, and it sounded great!

I am still trying to get a solution for the non-screen units from lower end models (SV6, SS, Omega, etc), hopefully this won't take too much longer. Believe me guys, as soon as I can come up with a fix I'll let you know!

Cheerz!

[davey g-force]

^^ Sweet Phreddy!

Have you sorted out the cluster lighting for VE's yet? It's been a while - I've forgotten lol.

I'm keen to get both done - Email sent!

*EDIT* - Just remembered that VE dash lighting was sorted ages ago - duh!
VE Dash lighting - FULL CONVERSIONS ARE GO!!

[UFO]

I am still trying to get a solution for the non-screen units from lower end models (SV6, SS, Omega, etc), hopefully this won't take too much longer. Believe me guys, as soon as I can come up with a fix I'll let you know!

Cheerz!

Thanks Phreddy.... again, no rush just checking on update.
When you get it all sorted for the non screen models just know you've definitely got at least one 100% sure customer .

[Cunningstunter]

G'day guys.

First up I'll answer your question Danger....

As far as I know, the "subwoofer amp" fitted to upmarket models is simply driven from the rear speaker outputs. (there's basically a LOC built in to the amp at the input stage) They're rated at about 40W RMS I think, so they're nothing to get particularly excited about - there's still an integrated curciut power amp inside the box, so no particular quality level...

Now on to the RCA output thing... There's been somewhat of a breakthrough, in that the higher end units with the large screen (such as fitted to Calais, SSV, HSV, etc) doesn't seem to suffer from the noise! Over the weekend that's just passed I've modded the unit from a SSV ute, and it sounded great!

I am still trying to get a solution for the non-screen units from lower end models (SV6, SS, Omega, etc), hopefully this won't take too much longer. Believe me guys, as soon as I can come up with a fix I'll let you know!

Cheerz!

I am the customer with the SSV ute - I have also posted up the full story here :VE SSV Audio build finished - Important note on RCA mods

Could NOT be happier BTW THANKS PHREDDY ONCE AGAIN!

[JohnSz]

From another happy customer :-)))) Thanks again Phreddy for all of your good work!

I don't wish to steal Phreddy's thunder, but I'm sure that he's going to make an official announcement sometime soon!

Over the past 2 weeks, Phreddy has done the RCA output mod on my VE SV6 with great results, so for all of you out there with a VE: the wait for the mod is almost over.

But hang on: there's more! As I had some fairly decent Pioneer 6x9's, I really wanted to mount them on the rear parcel shelf (along with the Pioneer 6.5" units in the front doors). Unfortunately VEs don't have a cutout to suit 6x9s (unlike previous Commodores), so at first I was stumped. Phreddy to the rescue! A few days later and I'm the proud owner of some custom made MDF/fibreglass 6x9 mounts that fit the parcel shelf perfectly. I couldn't be happier! He told me that he'll be offering similar mounts as one of his standard items in the near future, so getting those 6x9s into your VE should be a no brainer...

THANKS AGAIN PHREDDY !!!

[MySV6]

Over the past 2 weeks, Phreddy has done the RCA output mod on my VE SV6 with great results, so for all of you out there with a VE: the wait for the mod is almost over.

...

Phreddy to the rescue! A few days later and I'm the proud owner of some custom made MDF/fibreglass 6x9 mounts that fit the parcel shelf perfectly.

Great stuff. I have been waiting months for these 2 issues to be fixed so I can get the rest of the stereo install done.

[rch-13z]

Good to see solid improvement here... Good to see Greg hasn't abandoned his "if it's not good enough for me, it's not good enough for you attitude" which we all know and love.