I have a 2 channel radio that I want to hook up to a 4 ch amp and was wondering if there is special wiring I would have to purchase? Or am I gona have to go through a crossover to get all those channels?
Replies (9)
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 01:03:32
wow, don't see too many 2 channel radios now days. What is the brand and model number?
If it is a common ground setup, you will need a floating ground adapter then a line output converter to change it over to RCA. If you use the high level inputs (no line out converter, just the speaker wire) you will more than likely get some nasty engine noise or alternator whine.
Can you give us the model number of the radio and amplifier if you already have one.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:08:49
got two rca cables coming out of back of radio and need to plug them into amp that has 2 jacks for front and 2 jacks for rear.
The radio is a Pyramid (not sure on model but it is newer model radio) and the amp is a Cuspid Am 4310 1600 watts.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:12:02
Pyramid CDR49DX AM/FM-MPX CD Receiver
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 01:44:19
you really have 3 options here.
1) use the radio's RCA output and run RCA cables to the amp, where you can use an RCA y adapter to split the left channel in to two left channels and likewise with the right. The drawback here is that you split the RCA voltage, and the amplifier has to work harder to acheive the same volume as only using one set of RCA inputs.
2) Use the existing RCA output for front, and buy a 2channel Line out converter to connect to the rear speaker wires to change them over to RCA and run RCA to the amp. The drawback here is that one may be more powerful than the other and it may take a little extra time adjusting the gain to get a good balance.
3) This is the ideal way to do it. Buy a 4 channel Line output converter (they are not much more expensive than the 2 channel LOCs). Connect the 4 channel LOC to the speaker wires and go from the LOC to the amp. Don't use the radio's RCA output. This will give you a better all around balance in output.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:50:34
OK great info. I understand. Thanks much for all your help.
swez on 02/23/2007 21:08:38
Another option is to add a Line Driver/EQ preamp to your system. Many of these have 1 pair of RCA inputs and 3 sets of outputs. (Front, Rear and Sub) Many have a line driver to boost RCA voltage to each amp channel as well.
For example, the Audiobahn AEQ6, Q7 & Q8 have all these features and multi-band or Parametric EQ features. Each has a Master gain control, a Front/Rear fader and Sub output gain controls. These are 1/2 DIN units and small enough to fit into or under most any dash installs too.
As for prices, these range a lot, but the AEQ6 can often be had for about $60.00 off e-bay. (The Q7 & Q8 are a bit higher)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 21:43:39
I didn't even think about that. That is a good idea.
good call.
swez on 02/23/2007 22:44:55
Yep, until I did one for a client, it was not on the radar screen either. But since then, this is a low cost upgrade to any low budget HU that will really spruce up the install.
Also, I forgot to mention, all these units have pre-amp AUX inputs so one can easily add an MP3 or I-Pod. How cool is that? ;-)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 22:58:33
that is pretty sweet
Replies (9)
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 01:03:32
wow, don't see too many 2 channel radios now days. What is the brand and model number?
If it is a common ground setup, you will need a floating ground adapter then a line output converter to change it over to RCA. If you use the high level inputs (no line out converter, just the speaker wire) you will more than likely get some nasty engine noise or alternator whine.
Can you give us the model number of the radio and amplifier if you already have one.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:08:49
got two rca cables coming out of back of radio and need to plug them into amp that has 2 jacks for front and 2 jacks for rear.
The radio is a Pyramid (not sure on model but it is newer model radio) and the amp is a Cuspid Am 4310 1600 watts.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:12:02
Pyramid CDR49DX AM/FM-MPX CD Receiver
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 01:44:19
you really have 3 options here.
1) use the radio's RCA output and run RCA cables to the amp, where you can use an RCA y adapter to split the left channel in to two left channels and likewise with the right. The drawback here is that you split the RCA voltage, and the amplifier has to work harder to acheive the same volume as only using one set of RCA inputs.
2) Use the existing RCA output for front, and buy a 2channel Line out converter to connect to the rear speaker wires to change them over to RCA and run RCA to the amp. The drawback here is that one may be more powerful than the other and it may take a little extra time adjusting the gain to get a good balance.
3) This is the ideal way to do it. Buy a 4 channel Line output converter (they are not much more expensive than the 2 channel LOCs). Connect the 4 channel LOC to the speaker wires and go from the LOC to the amp. Don't use the radio's RCA output. This will give you a better all around balance in output.
fatboy on 02/23/2007 01:50:34
OK great info. I understand. Thanks much for all your help.
swez on 02/23/2007 21:08:38
Another option is to add a Line Driver/EQ preamp to your system. Many of these have 1 pair of RCA inputs and 3 sets of outputs. (Front, Rear and Sub) Many have a line driver to boost RCA voltage to each amp channel as well.
For example, the Audiobahn AEQ6, Q7 & Q8 have all these features and multi-band or Parametric EQ features. Each has a Master gain control, a Front/Rear fader and Sub output gain controls. These are 1/2 DIN units and small enough to fit into or under most any dash installs too.
As for prices, these range a lot, but the AEQ6 can often be had for about $60.00 off e-bay. (The Q7 & Q8 are a bit higher)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 21:43:39
I didn't even think about that. That is a good idea.
good call.
swez on 02/23/2007 22:44:55
Yep, until I did one for a client, it was not on the radar screen either. But since then, this is a low cost upgrade to any low budget HU that will really spruce up the install.
Also, I forgot to mention, all these units have pre-amp AUX inputs so one can easily add an MP3 or I-Pod. How cool is that? ;-)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/23/2007 22:58:33
that is pretty sweet
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