HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp

**Warpath** · 03-28-2005, 01:40 AM

Hmm, could also use an EQ. Mount it in the dash or where ever. One set of RCA's from the soundcard to the input of the EQ. The EQ will then give you 3 sets of RCA outputs...Front, Rear, Subs. This will also give you a good signal boost and much easier to tweak.
Wire Diagram - EQ, 4ch amp, Subs and carputer

**Silver Wing** · 03-31-2005, 11:46 AM

Please help me. I tried using the 4.1 setup for my carputer and I can't get it to work. I get no sound at all. I used a HP 2.8 Ghz computer and a Rockford Fosgate Punch P4004 4 channel amp. I've tested my sound card and my amp. They work fine, but they aren't working together. What else can I check? What am I missing? I definetly don't want to have to use a HU. Thanks in advance for your help.

**miztahsparklez** · 03-31-2005, 12:11 PM

did you try setting the gains?.. most likely you need a line driver to boost the signal of the sound card so it works with your amp. your soundcard probably doesnt put out enough power for the amp.

**Song0330** · 03-31-2005, 09:32 PM

Visited my local Car Toys today to check out subs for my audio setup, told the sales guy what I was doing (carputer and splitter to RCA/sound card direct to amp), and he highly advised me against it. Some tech jumbo I can't recall, but something about it not having good sound quality, degrading the speakers, and causing the speakers to eventually send feedback and damaging my carputer. He advised me I was better off using an aux-in on many of the HUs he sold so that this wouldn't happen.

Any truth to this, or just the standard salesperson scare-tactic?

**Vchat20** · 03-31-2005, 09:35 PM

while im no expert, im pretty sure its your usual salesperson scare tactic. if you check many other projects around here, many of them are headless and go straight from the carputer to the amp.

**miztahsparklez** · 03-31-2005, 10:57 PM

yes he wanted you to buy a stereo.. what you need is a line driver =P

**Silver Wing** · 04-01-2005, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by miztahsparklez

did you try setting the gains?.. most likely you need a line driver to boost the signal of the sound card so it works with your amp. your soundcard probably doesnt put out enough power for the amp.

Where can I get a line driver? What specs will it need? Is there a specific brand or model? Will using a different sound card work? If so will a usb soundblaster do the job? Thanks so much for your help.

**Vchat20** · 04-01-2005, 02:45 AM

id try to run straight from the carputer to the amp without a line driver. nothing should be damaged, and depending on the sound card, it should be able to provide enough voltage for an amp to be able to work with it.

**Silver Wing** · 04-01-2005, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Vchat20

id try to run straight from the carputer to the amp without a line driver. nothing should be damaged, and depending on the sound card, it should be able to provide enough voltage for an amp to be able to work with it.

I've tried it. It isn't working. I think you have me confused with Song0330. I'm the one that is running straight from my sound card to my amp, with no success. Will switching to a usb soundblaster solve my problem? Do I need a line driver?

**moahdib** · 04-05-2005, 10:35 PM

Get line drivers here:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/linedrivers.html

I think the PIE is good enough for your purposes... I am getting one too. Sound from my laptop to the head unit line level input is too low for my taste. =)