Disadvantages of using High-Low line RCA converters?

[Flat_White]

Hi guys,

I know there has been much discussion about topics such as this all-over the car audio forum but i believe my question is a little different.

I dont have enough money too afford one of Phreddys blaupunkt head unit mods (for VY) so i want to use RCA converters to enable me to connect my sub and amp to my stock head unit..

I understand that by wiring the converter onto the speaker wires i will get RCA attatchments... but what kind of quality can be expected from this?

Is the sound quality that bad?

is it still listenable?

is it a job worth doing?

cheers for any advice

[bezz]

there are a few sq VE's etc going around using rockford fosgate converters that apparently sound just as good as their counterparts. Apparently no noticeable difference at all. Sorry can't comment further as I haven't heard them myself.

[joshtaylor87]

It depends on the quality of the LOC. I have 2 LOC's in my VE. The 4 channel one for my fronts and sub is a Peripheral Sven4 which cost me $150. The 2 channel one for my rears is a DNA branded one that cost me $20. The Sven4 is awesome! The quality that comes out of it I would say is probably just as good as an aftermarket H/U very clear crisp sounds. The DNA unit for the rears however is still very good just doesn't have the same quality sound about it. But still very decent sound. I've spent over $6000 on my SQ stereo for the VE and it sounds great. I thought it would be let down by the factory H/U and LOC's but it isn't, it sounds great! So I would definitely recommend going with a LOC if you can't afford a Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.1 at $300 or a Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 at $600. Although the cheaper LOC's are pretty decent, I would recommend spending a little bit extra and getting a higher quality LOC like the Peripheral Sven.

SVEN4

[daron]

there is stuff all diference if set up corectly
most ppl just chuck them in and turn it up loud
take time seting them up they are fine and ya wouldnt notice the diference
but you do get what ya pay for remeber that

[Haydz]

if its only for sub i wouldnt worry too much jsut do that and save up until you can afford phreddys proper install.
i cant recommend him enough

[Flat_White]

so what are peoples opinions of a $20 converter such as one found on eBay?

[r_i_d_a_h]

you have a link?

..you could just go to jaycar electronics and pick one up for $15

[Flat_White]

Car Stereo High to Low Level Converter - eBay Amplifiers, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 29-Jun-08 20:27:47 AEST)

what are the ones from jaycar like?

[commsirac]

If you are just using the speaker outputs from the headunit to drive the sub amp, then I cant see that it will be a big factor in the sound quality.
However, Im not sure if you also intend to run your existing speakers off the head unit or off an amp driven by the HU outputs.
If you are running the front speakers of the HU and turn the vol up then the distortion produced by the HU will rise and be fed into the sub amp as well. If the front speakers are also run off an amp, then you are not loading up the amp on the HU and it will be able to produce fairly high signal levels without as much distortion.

Typically the difference would be most audible in the uppper frequencies where noise that has been amplified twice(once by the not so good internal amp of the HU which adds its own noise as well) would become more apparent, also amplifying twice adds to the total distortion, again the internal amp of the head unit being the weak link here. In the lower frequencies that noise and distortion just aren't as noticeable and really shouldnt affect the integrity of the low frequency signal, unless the HU is driven too high with a direct load such as the front speakers..

You can make your own convertor, really they are just a voltage divider, though by the time you get all the bits, do the maths on what you need and put it together its easier to buy one with adjustable input.

You are going to get cleaner sound by adding an amp to the HU outputs, then by using the HU direct to the speakers.

[r_i_d_a_h]

..judging by the pics from the link, the converter from jaycar is very very very similar to that one on ebay.

i've got on in my VS and ive never had a problem with them.

[benggie13]

hey there guys just reading the thread here and was just wondering in regards to the hi/low conveter, what do you connect the remote trigger to on the HU end ???
As i am considering going down this path in my new Vt Berlina
cheers guys
Benggie

[r_i_d_a_h]

The remote trigger from the Head Unit controls external amps and/or electric aerial. so when ever you turn the headunit on those accessories will turn on as well.

with the after market amplifier you just connect the remote trigger from the head unit to the remote input of the amplifier.

[joshtaylor87]

hey there guys just reading the thread here and was just wondering in regards to the hi/low conveter, what do you connect the remote trigger to on the HU end ???
As i am considering going down this path in my new Vt Berlina
cheers guys
Benggie

If your using the factory H/U you can get a device (not sure what its called) that you wire up to a pair of speaker (high) line outs from the H/U and then from this device you run a wire into the remote trigger on the amp. The device senses when the H/U is switched on by sensing audio on the speaker line outs and sending the signal for the amp(s) to turn on. This all happens instantaneous (there is no delay from when you turn the H/U on and when the amp(s) kick in).

Can get these from most car audio stores.

But being a VT I would take out the factory H/U and put an aftermarket H/U in. It would sound better and it would already have RCA outs and a remote trigger out etc so you don't need all the converters.

[VrWagz1]

Just a thought, but most amps i have seen have a hi line input on them, they have the converter built into them, i have used them before on stock head decks, simply for the reason they dont have rca outs, and had no issues. Does your amp not have them.

[joshtaylor87]

Just a thought, but most amps i have seen have a hi line input on them, they have the converter built into them, i have used them before on stock head decks, simply for the reason they dont have rca outs, and had no issues. Does your amp not have them.

Yea some amps have them, but I wouldn't say most.

[tommo_49]

Gday
I got a similar problem, i'm going to put alpine $600 component speakers and alpine $250 6X9's as well as a $600 four channel amp. Now heres my problem i would get Phreddy's mod done, but i live in Melbourne. Will i be able to get the best sound out of the speakers using an LOC or do i have to buy a new headunit (keeping in my mind that i want to keep my steering wheel buttons, so i'm looking at least a $300 HU and $50+ to convert it so i can use the buttons. You guys have any tips on what i should do?[/B]

[pill]

tommo, i'd make the decision based on whether you want the stock dimmer lights kept or not, cause that's a feature you simply can't get in aftermarket head units. i recall someone saying you could post it to phreddy and he will do it for you, so maybe that's a better idea if you want the dimmer, but otherwise, aftermarket head units are in almost every way better than the stock ones (assuming you have a bit of money to throw around).

If you want quality, you'll need a good HTL converter. Apparrently the good ones (as above) are a good $150. for that kind of money, you're better off with just getting a decent aftermarket one, and the adaptor to use your buttons.

However, as a general rule, the HTL converters are generally decent quality (i would rate them at about 96kbps comparing to mp3s) but some say they are as low as FM radio (56kbps, if you know what i'm talking about). As in FM transmitters like for ipods, distortion increases exponentially with bass boost and that kind of thing, so turn the volume up on your amps and down on your head unit to avoid that bottleneck. But for good quality listening, you're better off getting the mod (if possible), or a decent aftermarket unit with plenty of pre-out goodness :P

[tommo_49]

Thanks for the help Pill, i'll prob go with the new headunit. Greatly Appreciated