Thread: How to integrate HU & Speakers with PC+AMP - totaly lost

Wow, theory, arguments and average guy! I spent 5K on my home speakers -imported from the UK-, that is not high-end, but I had to avoid a divorce lawyer, could have cost me a lot more. That is why, when I started the thread, I did not ask for FM trans/mod, I wanted to integrate my existing HU to the PC.

OK, back on track, that class II databus turned out to be pain in the you know what. I have to do a lot more work before touching that GM unit, not only I would lose the Onstar, the ding ding -Yes, I need it, I have kids that screw things up- but also the radio slave in the back seat. You see, my HU unit allows the back seat passengers to play another source, if I am using the radio, they can use the CD or the tape player, I would lose that If I remove/replace the HU.

In the mean time, while researching the subject (Crutchfield support is class A, they spent a lot of time on the phone answering questions and I did not buy anything yet) - I need to hook up my PC now, so, as a stop gap, I went to BB to pick up an FM mod, just to give it a try knowing very well that I would not be satisfied and that it is going back, well, they did not have the FM mod in stock, they had the trans, they only had one on the shelf from Monster ( I hate them, but that is another story), so, I took it, it was $49.95, any way, the sound was not as bad as some people on this board claim -windows rolled down on the highway test- , however, it was weak and a lot of interference from other FM stations. This morning, I went to a local audio shop, they basically did not want to touch the HU, however, they recommended an FM trans!, there claim was that it is digital and that GM dealers use it for their setup, and they offered to take it back if I don't like it.

I took it for $35, Well, let me tell you, that was yet another reason why I don't like Monster, it worked beautifully, more powerful and zero hiss or interference, the box written on it Digital 3, model FMT-3 Farenheit (no h), it has only 3 setting (Monster has 6 but it is crap) - As a stop gap measure, it is great for the price, I will keep it till I sort out the GM mess.

Sorry for the rant.

Im glad to hear of your success the second time around.

youll definitely have to reopen this thread after it dies in the archives when you get an AUX input unit, and let us know if the difference is noticible and/or extreeme

is your head unit able to recive fm in digital ? if so this may be the best way to go aslong as it is truly a digital link between the two.
maybe someone in audio land can figure out a hack for it to use a digital signal from a toslink on a sound card to be a perfect conection?

Can I just add my experiences with factory HU, modulators and tape head splicing.

I used to have a volvo C70 with the factory dolby prologic system fitted, 13 speakers, seperate 4 channel amp and double din unit SC-901. I considered changing head units, but the dobly sound was delicious. And Volvo had used dolby labs to tune the system to the car/speakers, so not a good idea.

I wanted to add a NEO-35 (m-station) mp3 player and couldn't source an aux adaptor for the CD-changer.

First of all I tried 2 differnet FM modulators, they were dreadful, very poor quality and as I moved up and down the UK, other channels broke into the music.

So I decided to modify my tape deck section, as I never played tapes I took the unit apart and soldered a stereo screened lead across the L+R tape heads. Took these to 2 phono sockets on the back of the unit and potted down the inputs so I didn't overload them. Installed a tape with no insides in teh mechanism to allow it to work, so when I wanted mp3, I just selected tape Side A. Side B would still allow tapes to be played. Much better than the FM modulator, but had engine whine.

Finally I managed to get an aux adaptor after 10 months of searching, Blitzsafe supplied it and I imported it from the USA. best thing I ever did, sound quality was amazing and no engine whine. Connected to my 6 CD changer socket, so I kept the Tape/Radio/3 CD changer and added mp3.

Craig