Thanks to all for the courtesy extended to a newbie in audio and with the crossfire. I posted an earlier thread called "Dissappointe" where i spoke to buying a new head unit and hooking it up with the pre outs and getting lower volume than the stock unit. Everyone jumped in and explained an alternative hookup w/o the preaouts and hooking straight to the wires from the amp (speakers). After reading all of the posts I now get it!

But this raises a different question. I find that I really do not like the Alpine HU that i purchased and now am looking at the kenwood kdc-x796. One of the things I find attractive is that Keenwood had 4 Preamp Voltage whereas the Alpine has 2 Preamp Voltage, But the guy at Bestbuy told me hat this difference will only be recognized if I use the Preouts. But if I wire the HU w/o the pre outs and wired it directly then the Preamp voltage will not matter. Is this correct?

Lastly, I am now considering other headunits that have bluetooth and HD capability. I really want something good and I am open for suggestions.

Again, thanks everyone for the serious attention given to my other thread. As I stated, I am finally started to catch on

 

I work for Kenwood, so buy the Kenwood - corporate is forecasting a HORRIBLE year for our consumer division.

(And I don't even try to answer questions about our car's sound systems, I have NEVER wanted to change from what the factory system provides and therefore know very little, my hearing is way worser than any factory sound system...)



(I don't work in our consumer division, either.)

 

It does only matter if the preamp output's are used.4V is perfect to have if you ever upgrade to subs, and/or components with preamp input. Kenwood is IMO the only way to go for quality in an affordable price range. Just my .02

 

KIV-BT901 I love mine. Then rewire the factory amp for 4-channel access and use the pre-outs. There's a very good write up here.

 

I brought the Kenwood as suggested. I plan to rewire the factory amp for 4-channel access and use the pre-outs. But this takes me back to my original concern. When I first brought the headunit and hooked it up using the preouts without changing or altering the factory amp, I got low volume. Everyone on the forums told me to not use the preouts but to wire the headunit directly into the speaker wires and that would give me back the louder volume that was being stopped by the pre outs. BUT THIS WAS WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO THE FACTORY AMP ALLOWING IT TO SIMPLY SERVE AS A 2 CHANNEL AMP

Now following everyones advice here I am ready to rewire the factory amp for 4-channel access and use the pre-outs. Using the modification to the amp and using the preouts will that cause me to loose volume like I did when using the preouts before modifying the amp. Or does the modified amp serve as if I was wiring the headunit directly to the speaker wires that gives the maximum volume.

I may be getting some things above crossed and stated wrong but I think everyone can get my concerns

Please help

 

I "think" your problem was the 2V pre outs on the Alpine. My setup sounds amazing for just a head unit swap. (Not that the OEM was all that bad) Yes, there are better/more expensive options, but I am more than pleased with the sound. I tried the speaker levels first and didn't care for the sound. The volume was there, but just didn't sound crisp/clear. Seemed to be a bit of distortion with much volume. Just my $0.02. If your Kenwood has 4V pre outs, I think you'll be fine.

 

Oh that is right. If I remember in talking to the audiophiles the preamp voltage of the headunits only come into play when you are using a non factory, after market 4 channel amp. Well I guess if I use the factory amp and use the 4 channel mod it is just like I am using an aftermarket amp that can take full advantage of the pre out voltage of the head units

I am thinking correct?

 

Here's my .02

My Clarion CZ501 puts out 200 watts speaker level. Once I hit about 24 on the volume level (40 max setting) I get no increase in volume out of the stock amp, and sound does not "head" towards distorted. Distortion in.. distortion out is kinda the way I see it.

 

Correct, what would be best to do is hook up the front left and front right normally. Go to the amp (there is a wiring diagram somewhere) and run new wire from the output of the rear speakers to the output of the rear speakers on the deck. If your kenwood is anything like mine this will still give you plenty of adjustment F and R.

 

Just print and follow this diagram. Im not an artist but it's straight forward and easy to understand. This is what I did for mine. I use the amp for the FL and FR. I bypassed the amp for RL and RR.