Originally Posted by peter_k
Any brand will work, doesn't have to be Scosche... Can be Metra, Best Kits, etc...
If you do a search, I posted up on using RCA's and splicing in at the factory amp in order to get subwoofer control and better sound Q from the fronts.
The RCA harness that they showed you, won't have any real benefit over speaker level other than some better sound quality... BUT you need to have a deck with a high Volt Pre-out (like 4 Volts and up) to properly get the same volume out of the amp...
peter,
I am doing my install this weekend and am still up in the air as to whether to go with RCA level inputs.
Some basic facts to assist:
Installing Pioneer Premier DEH-790BT (4.0V RCA pre-out), a Rockford-Fosgate 180Wx1 amp and 10" sub.
From what I gather from some of your other posts, the factory amp actually has sets of front and sub RCA inputs. If I got the VW wiring harness with the RCA connections as opposed to the speaker level outputs, I could then utilize the factory amp's RCA inputs for improved sound quality and get control of the factory subs (rear speakers).
Could I send the deck's front RCA pre-outs to the front RCA input of the factory amp, send the rear RCA pre-outs to the sub RCA input of the factory amp, and the non-fading RCA pre-out to the RCA input of my RF amp? Since I am installing an additional sub, is this really better than just leaving the control of all factory speakers joined and just dropping the bass way down?
If I did do this, how easy it is to access the factory amp to do this? Also, peter you mention you think the factory amp is crap and someone else mentions that using the aforementioned set up may lose some DSP features of the amp. Is this really an advisable set up, or if I did want to do this should I buy a new 4 channel amp?
I've seen more than a few folks mention running the RCA patch cables to the aftermarket amp through the center console - but I can't seem to located a thread that actually talks about how to do this. Anyone got insight? Is there a better/easier place to do this?
The lead turn on wire for the amp... this connects from the deck's harness to the amp?
I'm also installing a Sirius Sportster, is there a way to hardwire the power to avoid using the cigarette lighter plug? Would I hardwire to the cigarette lighter, or splice into the power to the deck?
Thanks in advance all.
Scott