Amp for Scion tC Carputer

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 08:40 AM

I'm looking for a somewhat affordable amp for my 05 Scion tC (stock speakers).

To be completely honest, I don't know that much about amps, speakers, or sound in general, and I don't really want to learn (I'm aware this might get me flamed)...

I basically just want to hook up my carputer (the computer is using a Sound Blaster Audigy SE sound card), to the stock speakers in my 05 Scion tC, without degrading the sound quality compared to my stock head unit (and not losing volume).

I realize I could just buy another head unit with an auxiliary input, but I don't feel that would be a very elegant solution.

~ Austin
P.S. I'm open to buying a used Amp.

XC-C30 · 04-21-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by AustinMatherne

and I don't really want to learn (I'm aware this might get me flamed)...

Quick learner ey

Don't think anyone is willing to spoonfeed, or help, for that matter. Especially if you just admitted you aren't at all willing to do an effort yourself.

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 04:14 PM

I'm not looking to be spooned (I'm capable of searching on my own).

All I'm looking for is a suggestion on an affordable Amp that will work with my current setup.

The reason I don't really want to learn about speakers and so forth, isn't because I don't want to do the work, it's because I know if I do then I'm gonna want to replace the speakers add a sub, etc, etc, etc and I don't have the money to do it.

So why torture myself?

I hope you understand,
~ Austin

Edit: I'm familiar with the Sonic T-Amp (looked into it for my desktop back when it first came out) and I've seen some people talk about it around here (by searching). I know its only 15 watts, isn't that not nearly enough for a car setup?

Thanks,
~ Austin

scott_fx · 04-21-2008, 05:13 PM

i always suggest the t-amp if you want it in a small space and don't want to have to worry about running new wiring. i believe that it'll give you near stock sound. your stock head unit probably is only putting out about 8 watts rms anyways.

if you dont mind running the wires and everything look at the infinity/jbl amps, they are pretty well made and inexpensive. should give you plenty of headroom so make sure to set your gains correctly.

skuller · 04-21-2008, 05:16 PM

soundstrom 4f400.
4 channel, about $50 dollar at amazon.
working great on my stock speaker setup (at least better then the output of my stock head unit)

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by scott_fx

i always suggest the t-amp if you want it in a small space and don't want to have to worry about running new wiring. i believe that it'll give you near stock sound. your stock head unit probably is only putting out about 8 watts rms anyways.

if you dont mind running the wires and everything look at the infinity/jbl amps, they are pretty well made and inexpensive. should give you plenty of headroom so make sure to set your gains correctly.

This was exactly the kind of reply I was looking for.

I'm surprised the head unit only puts out that many watts.

Space is very minimal for this install so I'll look more into the T-Amp (but I'll give the infinity/jbl a look to).

Thank you,
~ Austin

Edit: So you're saying I can just hook the Amps up to the speaker wiring running from the stock head unit?

Am I correct in assuming I need two T-Amps 2x2 Channels = 4 Channels? and that I'll just use an adapter that will split the rear output from my sound card into two channels and I do the same with the front output?
Also, does it matter what channels are running on the Amps? For instance both front channels on one Amp and the rear on the other, or left and right?

Is the following digram correct?

Thanks again,
~ Ausitn

scott_fx · 04-21-2008, 06:35 PM

you could also try two of these if you have enough power on your psu (or maybe get a second dc-dc psu):
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-15-watt-4ohm-T...QQcmdZViewItem

actually... you would run into similar powering issues regardless of which amp you used. you can just hook these amps straight to the 12v car battery.

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 07:05 PM

Are you sure I cant run the two T-Amps off my OPUS 320W PSU?

I'll be using the 320W OPUS to power the following system.
Motherboard: DFI nForce4 Ultra-D
Processor: Underclocked AMD Opteron 165
Video Card: XFX GeForce 7100GS
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE
Hard Drive: Seagate 300GB 7200.8 IDE
Display: MP3Car 2008 7” Transflective
GPS: USGlobalSat BU-353
USB Bluetooth Adapter: D-Link DBT-120
USB Wi-Fi Adapter: D-Link DWA-556
Microphone: Andrea Electronic Superbeam

~ Austin

scott_fx · 04-21-2008, 07:24 PM

you very well could, just make sure. I'll let you do the legwork on that :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by AustinMatherne

Are you sure I cant run the two T-Amps off my OPUS 320W PSU?

I'll be using the 320W OPUS to power the following system.
Motherboard: DFI nForce4 Ultra-D
Processor: Underclocked AMD Opteron 165
Video Card: XFX GeForce 7100GS
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE
Hard Drive: Seagate 300GB 7200.8 IDE
Display: MP3Car 2008 7” Transflective
GPS: USGlobalSat BU-353
USB Bluetooth Adapter: D-Link DBT-120
USB Wi-Fi Adapter: D-Link DWA-556
Microphone: Andrea Electronic Superbeam

~ Austin

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by scott_fx

you very well could, just make sure. I'll let you do the legwork on that :-)

I can do that.

Just to clarify, all I need for the Amps (besides running power to them) would be two (in the right length)
3.5mm Mini-Stereo Male to Two RCA Male Speaker Cable

Thanks again for all your help,
~ Austin

scott_fx · 04-21-2008, 07:45 PM

depend on which amp you go with. if you go with the SI amp then you would just need a 3.5mm mini to 3.5mm mini. if you go with the other amp i linked too you could use a pair of these:

or just get a single 3.5mm mini to 3.5mm mini, cut it in half and just use the screw down terminals on the board

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 07:55 PM

If there's not that big of a difference between the SI and the amp you linked to then I'll go with the one you linked to.

How do they compare?

~ Austin

scott_fx · 04-21-2008, 08:19 PM

dunno, only listened to one. one is half the price though :-)

AustinMatherne · 04-21-2008, 09:57 PM

I'm going to go with the SI as I found a couple of the 2nd gen SI's used for $30.

Again, I want to thank you for everything,
~ Austin

AustinMatherne · 04-23-2008, 03:33 AM

So, any idea how (or where I could find out how) to wire the T-Amps to my OPUS 320 Watt PSU?

Thanks,
~ Austin