Carputer using stock amp help please

**hadalgo** · 05-20-2007, 06:02 PM

Ok well I have a 2002 bmw 540i with the stock factory amp, non dsp.

when hooking my computer line out outputs to the factory amp I experience a much lower level of volume then from the factory head unit. I hooked up the good ole trusty tektronix oscilloscope and sure enough the line outs from the head unit are much higher. I bought a creative sound card and those outputs are the same as the on board sound, i was really hoping they would be adjustable or higher, but no dice.

this has to be a common problem when installing a carputer using the existing stock unit.

i really dont want to replace the amp with another one that will except the lower line level.

What is my cheapest option here??

Thanks for helping in advance, james

**hadalgo** · 05-20-2007, 10:04 PM

gosh no one here as run into this problem??

**2k1Toaster** · 05-21-2007, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by hadalgo

gosh no one here as run into this problem??

Well you only gave people 4 hours, and this place is pretty quiet on Sundays.

And does your amp have high level inputs, or low level inputs?

Is there a gain control on it?

If you play it through a HU's aux input, does it work well?

**hadalgo** · 05-22-2007, 11:02 AM

amp has high level inputs, about 3-5 volts in, as you might know a computer only has a .5v out

factory amp has no adjustments, atleast that are visable from the outside of the unit. i doubt it has any, the amp is engineered to work with the facotry head unit, not an aftermarket setup like im instaling. no head unit in car to test aux inputs..

solution was to get a line driver, ebay had a cheap one that drives 2 stereo channels, check out the phoenix gold SLD44... line driver will boost the carputers low level to a level which the factory amp likes to see. Its fully adjustable from .5 up to 11 volts.
.

thanks, james