OK, I have been looking at getting a new radio for awhile, really want MP3's again.

I have never had a car with an amp, so just assumed that I would use the pre-amp outputs of a new stereo, and that seems to be what I have gotten from some of the talk here. But I have gone to a high end car audio shop and they said they have never seen a factory amp that used the pre-amp outs, just the standard speaker outs. Apparantly only aftermarker amps use the pre-outs.

Does anyone here know exactly what is right for our car? I have seen in here posts talking about how are amps are wired somewhat different, i.e. there are front/rear inputs on the amp, but they are spliced together to take a single out from the radio.

Has anyone taken a meter to the out lines on the stock stereo to see what voltage they are running at, 12.5v or a lower pre-amp voltage?

Also, when I get a new stereo, should I seperate the spliced wires on the amps inputs so that I can use the seperate outs for front/rear/subwoofer on a new stereo? (I am hoping this would keep more of the bass at the subs and less coming out of the door speakers)

thanks
chris



oh yeah... another question.. I saw that someone here had added small speakers in the hatch to create for of a surround sound, as opposed to the all front. Anyone have any instructions on to do this, w/o doing to much damage to the car?