CarPC directly into Monsoon Amp, do I really need the Head Unit?

**ericthebikeman** · 08-10-2004, 02:19 PM

For space reasons I'm removing the stock monsoon head unit on my '01 Jetta and replacing it with a 7" touch panel. I've constructed a plexiglas case to fit into the CD changer slot in the back and I'm hoping to use a RCA to monsoon harness on the CD changer input in the same slot.
Like I said before the HU will be gone leaving volume control to Windows I hope. Question is will this work? Can windows just pass a signal via RCA/monsoon to the amp then to the speakers?

**trancified** · 08-10-2004, 02:46 PM

You bet.. similar to mine, and it sounds 10X better. You might need a line driver however, cause you are going to the CD changer first. I had mine running to the amp first. (I don't have a CD changer)

**Zip-Lock** · 08-10-2004, 04:22 PM

Does your Monsoon amp have RCA inputs? Mine doesn’t, it just has high level (speaker level) inputs. I've read on the Volkswagen forums that the Monsoon amp isn't like a traditional amp. The head unit does most of the amplification and the amp functions more as a cross cover to drive the separate tweeters and woofers in the all the doors. I’m not totally sure, but I am going HU less too. I just have a smaller amp that leads into the Monsoon amp.

**ppgt94** · 08-10-2004, 04:50 PM

I have a '02 Jetta. I removed the moonsoon black "box". I then got the pin-out for the connector that plugged into the box and soldered my wires onto it to go to a amp.

**ericthebikeman** · 08-11-2004, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Zip-Lock

Does your Monsoon amp have RCA inputs? Mine doesn’t, it just has high level (speaker level) inputs. I've read on the Volkswagen forums that the Monsoon amp isn't like a traditional amp. The head unit does most of the amplification and the amp functions more as a cross cover to drive the separate tweeters and woofers in the all the doors. I’m not totally sure, but I am going HU less too. I just have a smaller amp that leads into the Monsoon amp.

So how exactly do I get purely software control of volume, I want no dials switches or sliders.

**ppgt94** · 08-11-2004, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by ericthebikeman

So how exactly do I get purely software control of volume, I want no dials switches or sliders.

Run the audio output of your comp's sound card into a amp.

**ericthebikeman** · 08-11-2004, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by ppgt94

Run the audio output of your comp's sound card into a amp.

So computer > amp > monsoon "amp" or
computer > monsoon amp

**ppgt94** · 08-11-2004, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by ericthebikeman

So computer > amp > monsoon "amp" or
computer > monsoon amp

I removed the monsoon "amp". Then I soldered speaker wires to the speaker leads. So it goes Computer > Amp > Speakers. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

**Alric** · 08-12-2004, 12:09 AM

I also removed the Monsoon "Amp" and put in a 4.1 Alpine.

The front and back speakers have different power requirements (8 Vs 4 Ohms). I dealt with this issue by reducing the level to the front speakers. Also, you need crossovers for the tweeters. I used some spare Memphis crossovers.

This set up sounds very, very good. To the point that I had to start using lossless compression for my music.

cheers,

**christmaspie** · 08-12-2004, 09:41 AM

The Monsoon amp in that vehicle is (I believe - about 89% sure) a current sensing amp. I'm not guaranteeing anything but you could definitely try running your lineouts of a soundcard right into the amp and see what happens. If you get a wiring harness from a local car stereo shop it would make your life much easier. You could do 1/8" out to RCA from the sound card but cut the ends of the RCA's off. Then just hardwire right into the speaker wires where the radio was. I can't say for sure this will work but it definitely could. My only concern is I don't know if there will enough output on the sound card to be worth it. Best luck!