Connecting two amps to PC

**Hoopstar** · 11-25-2003, 04:00 PM

Hope this is the best place for this thread..

I am in the process of "upgrading" my car with a MP3 computer. My Current setup is running two 4 channel amps with - one bridge both channels for front speakers, the second amp has one pair bridged for the sub and the remaining two channels for the 6x9's in the parcel shelf.

What is the best way of configuring the input wiring for the amps? I do not want to run this through any more processing gear or head units just so I can split up the channels if I can help it.

BTW, I have googled and searched this subject high and low before I posted but can not find anything related to this specific topic.

**churnopol** · 11-25-2003, 04:16 PM

try a 6 or 7 multichannel sound card. Use one amp for the fron and the other for the back. Use your imagination you'll figure it out

Originally Posted by Hoopstar

Hope this is the best place for this thread..

I am in the process of "upgrading" my car with a MP3 computer. My Current setup is running two 4 channel amps with - one bridge both channels for front speakers, the second amp has one pair bridged for the sub and the remaining two channels for the 6x9's in the parcel shelf.

What is the best way of configuring the input wiring for the amps? I do not want to run this through any more processing gear or head units just so I can split up the channels if I can help it.

BTW, I have googled and searched this subject high and low before I posted but can not find anything related to this specific topic.

**Hoopstar** · 11-25-2003, 05:13 PM

I was under the impression that multi-channel sound cards spat out surround only and could not be configured to stereo only with a fader feature..

But will give it a try..

**Almost a Ghost** · 11-25-2003, 05:18 PM

Most sound cars have 2 1/8 jacks out. The main one and usually a "Line out".

The only draw back is if you want to start playing audio DVD's and movie DVD's that offer 5.1 surround sound you'll be stuck with just regular stereo and that's were churnopol's advice of a sound card that does 4.1 and 5.1 which nowadays are inexpensive. But then again most motherboards nowadays offer multichannel sound cards on their motherboards.

**GinoRP** · 11-25-2003, 05:43 PM

I wouldn't suggest using parts of a x.1 Dolby signal since none of your applications will use it and if it did, you would be missing crutial freqs to complete the full sound.

http://www.suite101.com/mypage.cfm/unpluggedsound/16400

The above link will assist you in deciding how to connect your amps. I suggest you look to a stereo install board as us nerds don't know stereos.

One thing you might want to consider is getting a Line-Out converter.

http://www.electronixwarehouse.com/c...converters.htm

This will assist you in controlling the distortion while giving you full control of the volume from the computer.

Good Luck,

GinoRP

**Hoopstar** · 11-25-2003, 07:24 PM

Thanks guys..

But I think I've found a solution - will run from stereo 3.5mm from the sound card to twin RCA => device below => 2 x twin RCA's => amps..

I am not really interested in playing DVD's etc in the car - Can't watch them while driving, so whats the point?

**brrman** · 11-26-2003, 10:18 AM

Hoopstar - I am going to run 2 amps in my car. But in between the stereo out signal from the Soundcard I will be using a LineDriver/EQ from Clarion...

It will give me full control over the sound and frequency crossovers - basically replaces the Headunit - and also has an Aux in.

This is the one I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3290

**MeanGT** · 11-26-2003, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by GinoRP

The above link will assist you in deciding how to connect your amps. I suggest you look to a stereo install board as us nerds don't know stereos.

You should have said "some" of us nerds don't know stereos.

Because some of us do

**traitorhound** · 11-27-2003, 09:25 AM

use a crossover to get your 3 pre-outs

**bradaland** · 11-27-2003, 10:09 AM

I found a super easy way and no interfering noise. I use the SoundBlaster Extigy external USB card. It has 3 x 2.5mm stereo jacks (Front L/R, Rear L/R, and Center/Sub). My setup is as follows:
PC to Extigy ---> USB
Extigy to Amp 1 (4 Ch)---> 2x stereo 2.5mm to Stereo RCA cord
Extigy to Amp 2 (2 ch bridged)---1x stereo 2.5mm to Stereo RCA cord
Amps to speakers---> speaker wire.

I have found that because of the USB cable and te digital signal, sound doesn't get into it. So as long as teh RCA cable is protected or shielded. No noise, and very good S/N Ratio. I can barely turn my amps a quarter way on before it gets too loud.

Best of all, you get GUI equilizers from just about everywhere to control the sound. Why bother with another hardware device, when a PC can do it all the same and may better?