Running head unit off amp

[phatvtcom]

Is it possible to run a after market head unit off a separate amp for better quality/power? How would this be done if possible? Sorry im brain dead when it comes to car electrics...

[Verynice]

lol oh dear..... =/

[holdenboy]

OK (takes deep breath).

Yes you can connect an aftermarket head-unit to an amplifier, you do this via RCA cables (like the ones that go to your TV from your dvd player etc). These cables plug into the "RCA preouts" on the back of the head-unit and then are ran to the amplifier (under the carpet or trim panels) where they plug into the inputs of the amp. On the outputs of the amp you can connect speakers or subwoofer/s depending on the amplifier model.

To be honest, your much better off going to a quality car audio store and telling the salesman what sort of upgrades you want (or what sort of sound you want). Then he/she can direct you to the appropriate products you'll need. They will also install it all for you, then run you through the installation and what to do / what not to do.

Hope this sheds some light

[phatvtcom]

Thanks mate.. Yea it may seem im coming across like a dumb c**t, really what i should have said is i want the amp hooked up to JUST the head unit no speakers, so basically speakers to HU, HU to amp if that makes sense. Im just looking for better quality by running it from the amp..

[HCVP]

Errr what?

OK
Head unit is a source, it processes all the sound signals and sends them to the appropriate component.
An amplifier, recieves the audio signal from the source (your headunit) and them provide's power to speakers.
Following so far?
The amplifier connects to your head unit.
Your speakers connect to the amplifier.

Don't attempt to do any of this yourself. I've never seen anyone blow themselves up from installing car audio, but i'd hate for you to be the first!!

[phatvtcom]

So there is no way possible of receiving better sound/power from my head unit without replacing it?

[axemurderer101]

lol great thread

[HCVP]

So there is no way possible of receiving better sound/power from my head unit without replacing it?

Ofcourse there is, you can use whatever you want as a source. But, adding an external amplifier, to increase the amount of power that your standard speakers will see, would not be considered good value for money, unless you were going to upgrade other components within your system.

[Coast_Calais]

so what you meant to say is;
"I wanna keep my head unit, and use the current speakers, but i wanna put an amp in for better sound"
?????

[HCVP]

so what you meant to say is;
"I wanna keep my head unit, and use the current speakers, but i wanna put an amp in for better sound"
?????

Amplifier's don't improve sound quality

[holdenboy]

Hmm, well ok then

Basically, if youre using the standard head-unit in your VT, you will need to replace it to get better sound. But its only a fairly cheap upgrade to do (probably cost around $200-$250 supplied and fitted) and depending on what head-unit you choose, you will get the ability to play MP3 / burnt CDs and even an aux input for iPods / MP3 players etc. Plus you will notice an improvement in sound quality and volume.

I think thats the best way for you to start.

[Coast_Calais]

Amplifier's don't improve sound quality

in your world

[sweefu]

in your world

What are you saying mate?

[phatvtcom]

Hmm, well ok then

Basically, if youre using the standard head-unit in your VT, you will need to replace it to get better sound. But its only a fairly cheap upgrade to do (probably cost around $200-$250 supplied and fitted) and depending on what head-unit you choose, you will get the ability to play MP3 / burnt CDs and even an aux input for iPods / MP3 players etc. Plus you will notice an improvement in sound quality and volume.

I think thats the best way for you to start.

Thats alright mate thanks, i have an after market unit and know the basics but i think i'll just chuck a 4X amp to the speakers then i should get a better sound right?

HCPV i might know a whole lot of f*ck all but im pretty sure it does.. power anyway

[sweefu]

If your running stock speakers in my opinion your wasting your money on an amp, wiring and installation.. upgrade your speakers and amplify them then you will get better sound quality.. from memory stock speakers handle 30watt max? Even a basic 4 channel amp will be 4x50wrms .. which is too much for stock speakers. Stock speakers are good to run off a head unit, not an amp.

I've said it before and i'll say it again - HCVP knows his stuff.

[phatvtcom]

If your running stock speakers in my opinion your wasting your money on an amp, wiring and installation.. upgrade your speakers and amplify them then you will get better sound quality.. from memory stock speakers handle 30watt max? Even a basic 4 channel amp will be 4x50wrms .. which is too much for stock speakers. Stock speakers are good to run off a head unit, not an amp.

....No stock speakers.... No stock headunit... Im just after better sound! more power!

[sweefu]

What speakers are you running?

[phatvtcom]

JBL rear Clarion front

[sweefu]

Do you have a model number/power ratings? Then we can tell you if an amp/what sort of amp will benefit you.

[Coast_Calais]

What are you saying mate?

not even gonna bother with a bunch of keyboard-warriors who know it all...

out

[sweefu]

not even gonna bother with a bunch of keyboard-warriors who know it all...

out

lol lol lol

[hakhawk]

in your world

amplifiers do just what their name states... they AMPLIFY. if they receive a dirty signal, what do you think is going to happen to that dirty signal? no, it wont clean it, it will AMPLIFY it, and make it sound worse.

its like if you play a shitty low bitrate mp3 vs a normal audio cd, mp3 will sound like puss when turned up vs the cd

[hakhawk]

Thats alright mate thanks, i have an after market unit and know the basics but i think i'll just chuck a 4X amp to the speakers then i should get a better sound right?

HCPV i might know a whole lot of f*ck all but im pretty sure it does.. power anyway

if the sound coming out of your headunit is clean, hooking up an amplifier will allow you to run more power and thus more sound at the same volume level on the headunit. theres a certain point on all headunits where it stops producing a clean sound. no amplifier will help when going beyond this point.

[Coast_Calais]

amplifiers do just what their name states... they AMPLIFY. if they receive a dirty signal, what do you think is going to happen to that dirty signal? no, it wont clean it, it will AMPLIFY it, and make it sound worse.

its like if you play a shitty low bitrate mp3 vs a normal audio cd, mp3 will sound like puss when turned up vs the cd

if you wanna listen to low grade mp3 then good for you.

At least you said "dirty signal" which suggests you have an idea.

if you start looking at RFI and EMI, and then consider a lot of components in amplifiers (which have been around for a LONG time) you may have see as to what I mean...

oh well...

[hakhawk]

if you wanna listen to low grade mp3 then good for you.

At least you said "dirty signal" which suggests you have an idea.

if you start looking at RFI and EMI, and then consider a lot of components in amplifiers (which have been around for a LONG time) you may have see as to what I mean...

oh well...

is rfi/emi suppression in the average amp going to fix a clipped signal from a headunit being turned up beyond its abilities?