best way o connect ar pc to amps?

**steveb** · 01-13-2007, 08:32 AM

ive been thinking about the best way to connect my car pc to my amps as im not yet ready to loose my headunit as im still in the trial stages of the car pc

i have an alpine dvd headunit (no screen) which is attached to a lilliput.

basically the two options i have for interfacing the car pc audio are:

1, use rca spliters to splice in the sound from the car pc i.e. 2 rca cabled become 1 that then go ino the amp. (is this even possible without damaging anything?)

this method requires much shoter cables from the car pc meaning better quality sound and would also mean that the car pcs on board surrond sound controller could have its outputs directed to the sub and rear speakers individually (not that i will be using it for dvds very much)

2. get this cable for my alpine http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpi...1b-p-3138.html

this allows me to connect an extra aux device though the headunit. i think there are a few advantages to this, no splitters involved, master control of the volume from the headunit (likly to be more responsie i think that car pc volume) can name the aux display to car pc and easy to switch from car pc sound to cd player dvd sound etc using the headunit

the disadvantage is i will have to run a cable from the car pc back to the headunit and the signal will have to travel along that to the headunit then from the headunit back to the amps which could cause noise etc.

i think number 2 is the better option but i do have one more question.

if i went for option number two

would it be beter to run an RCA lead from the trunk to headunit and then plug that into the adapter and the adapter into the headunit.

or would it be better too, in the trunk plug the adapter into a disc changer extension cable and then run the extension cable to the headunit ?

thankyou

**spoonraker** · 01-13-2007, 08:39 AM

I'm not sure what the exact name of the device is, but I've seen it on here before.

It's basically an AV hub, only for car stereos you wouldn't need the video just the RCAs. Basically it's a little box with inputs for 3 or so RCAs, with a single output that would go to your amp. You can select which of the three input signals you want to go through using a little switch which I'm sure you could find a way to mount in some remote location.

Plug you stereo and your carpc into this, and then you can toggle between the two as needed.

**scott_fx** · 01-13-2007, 02:36 PM

i'd say option two, and if it runs digitally from that device you linked too, then yes use the extension cable...actually i would assume that that cable is pretty well shielded so i'd do it regardless if it was analog or digital. another option is to get a usb soundcard and run that up behind your deck. then use that aux input device to connect the soundcard to the head unit (shortest possibl run)

**scott_fx** · 01-13-2007, 02:38 PM

take a look at this too:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...20&postcount=7

you could connect both at the amp. still think i'd choose option 2 though... less tuning involved.

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-14-2007, 03:17 PM

I'd go option 2 as well if you are stuck on keeping your HU.

While I understand your concerns with running the cables back and forth...if you take care to run these cables properly and take into account the proper install techniques, you shouldn't run into a problem.