5.1 Amplifiers with Optical inputs

**dacho** · 02-02-2009, 01:04 AM

So I can't seem to find to buy any of these amps anywhere. Could some one point me in the right direction please. I just need a optical in amp with at least 4 channels.

Thank you

**MeeM** · 02-02-2009, 08:57 AM

Yeah I've also found it difficult to source any of these units. I've decided not to have an amp with optical input, and I bought an ordinary 4 channel amp. For my next car PC upgrade, I intend to buy an amp with optical input ... hopefully the range of these units will be better by then.

**Bxsteez** · 04-06-2009, 02:10 AM

I'm not sure if anyone still cares but i was able to find Alpine MRA-D550 on ebay. If you have a coaxial output on ur motherboard like the new gigabyte minitx mb you can get a coaxial to optical adapter for like 18 dollars and use this alpine amp.

**black_mamba** · 04-09-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Bxsteez

I'm not sure if anyone still cares but i was able to find Alpine MRA-D550 on ebay. If you have a coaxial output on ur motherboard like the new gigabyte minitx mb you can get a coaxial to optical adapter for like 18 dollars and use this alpine amp.

I just took a look at that amp. From the owner's manual, it looks like it has to be used with an Alpine head unit.

From page 11, under "Operation Method"

For the operation method, refer to “External Audio
Processor” in the Owner's Manual of the DVD Audio/
Visual Head Unit.
This unit does not work independently of the head
unit.

I'm assuming you'll be using it with a compatible head unit. I thought this amp might work for me and it's not too expensive (on eBay), but I'd like to be able to get rid of the HU.

**tameanaka** · 05-03-2009, 01:07 AM

So the MRA-D550 needs an Alpine HU to work??

**Defiler** · 05-03-2009, 06:45 PM

To control the processor inside of it, yes.

**hadaak** · 06-27-2009, 07:35 AM

Any updates on this subject?

I found this amp:

http://www.aliencaraudio.co.uk/produ...mplifier_00345

**jschrauwen** · 06-27-2009, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by hadaak

Any updates on this subject?

I found this amp:

http://www.aliencaraudio.co.uk/produ...mplifier_00345

That's 5ch and not 5.1ch meaning no center channel. I don't see an optical input option with it either.

**MeeM** · 06-28-2009, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by jschrauwen

That's 5ch and not 5.1ch meaning no center channel. I don't see an optical input option with it either.

You mean no subwoofer channel. 5.1 means 5 satellite speaker channels plus 1 subwoofer channel.

And yes, that amp does not have optical input. I guess if someone had a DSP with optical input, they could connect their car PC to the DSP, and then connect the speaker outputs from the DSP to this amp.

**jschrauwen** · 06-28-2009, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by MeeM

You mean no subwoofer channel. 5.1 means 5 satellite speaker channels plus 1 subwoofer channel.

And yes, that amp does not have optical input. I guess if someone had a DSP with optical input, they could connect their car PC to the DSP, and then connect the speaker outputs from the DSP to this amp.

I don't think so. 5ch as in that amp is designed to drive a set of front and rears and a sub.
5.1 drives a set of front and rears and a center ch and a sub.