Sound not very loud have i bought the wrong amp

rickyaswell · 09-25-2004, 03:20 PM

My carpc sound is not very loud.I am running a Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 NX Sound Card and a sony 4 X 19 watts rms per channel amp. I have no HU.
After reading loads of theads all i can come up with is that the sound card doesn't put out much power into the amp to start off with and so the amp can only amplifier so much.

1. Is the amp the wrong type, like expects high power in like from a head unit to get a louder sound out of the amp.

2.Do I have to use my sound card to my sony amp and use it as a line driver and then go into to another amp to power my 4 channel speakers.

3. Do I buy another amp that will take a low power input from my sound card.

Thanks for any help.

ppgt94 · 09-25-2004, 03:38 PM

1. If you used RCA cables to for input it's probably low-level (not amplified).

2. I don't know. Read the manual if you have it or check @ sony.com.

3. If your amp doesn't accept low level input then it would be the easiest solution.

But first check the gain level on the amp.

Jailer · 09-25-2004, 03:47 PM

Pick up a line driver to increase the output of the soundcard. Should solve your problems if it's a low signal level problem. Might want to consider a bigger amp anyway, 19W isn't a lot of power.

rickyaswell · 09-25-2004, 03:59 PM

No it doesn't have RCA inputs just wires in and out, its just plugs in between my old stock radio and speakers the amp expects high power in.

So all i have to do is get rid of it and get an amp with rca (low level) and plug my sound card into that.
Are all amps with rca in, low level inputs.

ppgt94 · 09-25-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rickyaswell

No it doesn't have RCA inputs just wires in and out, its just plugs in between my old stock radio and speakers the amp expects high power in.

So all i have to do is get rid of it and get an amp with rca (low level) and plug my sound card into that.
Are all amps with rca in, low level inputs.

Yes. Sound cards output low level.

Nic · 09-26-2004, 10:14 PM

get a better amp

darkhalo · 09-26-2004, 10:18 PM

hrmm im using a 400watt audiobahn amp just for my two door component speakers. 200watts each @ 1ohm / 100watt each @2ohm

ppgt94 · 09-26-2004, 10:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by darkhalo

hrmm im using a 400watt audiobahn amp just for my two door component speakers. 200watts each @ 1ohm / 100watt each @2ohm

200 watts RMS? You're really running the speakers @1 ohm? Damn. I'm running 50x4 RMS to four MB Quart components and they are pretty damn load. I guess it's all about tastes but that car is tiny.