Free Shipping on Most Orders

2 amps?

rated by 0 users
Answered (Verified) This post has 2 verified answers | 10 Replies | 1 Follower

Not Ranked
5 Posts
Points 100
easy posted on Fri, Jul 3 2009 5:35 PM

so i need help, im trying to hook up a 2nd amp in my car, i have one right now that currently drives my subs, i just got a second from a friend and i need to know how to hook up the 2nd and how to hook it up to my door/back dash speakers, what do i need and how to do it?

  • | Post Points: 20

Answered (Verified) Verified Answer

Top 10 Contributor
634 Posts
Points 8,470
ForumsAdministrator
Verified by Malcolm

In regards to splitting the RCA cables using a y-adapter and sound quality, there actually is a loss there. You are essentially halving the signal voltage for each split, which does decrease the strength and quality of the signal noticeably. To deal with this issue, a line driver can be installed in-line on the RCA's to boost the signal back up significantly.

For the rest of the connections, you will need to provide power, ground and remote to the new amplifier as well. The remote can typically be split once without having to use a relay. The ground will need to run to the same ground point as the other amp. The power can be run separately from the battery, or a thicker power cable can be installed to handle the amperage needs of both amps and then split to each amplifier using a distribution block just before the amps.

 

www.crutchfield.com/Malcolm
  • | Post Points: 40
Top 10 Contributor
14,127 Posts
Points 223,765
Moderator
Verified by Malcolm

It wouldn't be too many watts for the head unit - you wired something up incorrectly and need to figure out what before you do it again.

These have three sets of RCA's.  These would be fine if you still want to use a LOC.  (Link doesn't seem to be working).

You have other options as well.

Hope This Helps!!!

2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs

  • | Post Points: 30

All Replies

Top 75 Contributor
134 Posts
Points 2,380

Are you using the RCA preamp outputs for the first amplifier?  Does the amplifier have RCA outputs?  If not, you could use two RCA Y-adapters and attach them to the RCA preamp outputs at the HU.  Then use RCA cables to attach both amps to the RCA splitters.

1992 Chevrolet pickup; Jensen VM9412 HU; Alpine 4x6 2-way dash speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 4x6 3-way rear speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 12" subs x 2; Crunch GVP700.2 "Ground Pounder" subwoofer amplifier; Custom Subwoofer box

  • | Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
5 Posts
Points 100
easy replied on Mon, Jul 6 2009 12:00 AM

yeah the RCA'S are being used on the first amp, so if i do this its not going to compromise the sound quality cuz someon told me that

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 75 Contributor
134 Posts
Points 2,380

No unless there was something wrong with the Y-adapters or if there was any interference in the system.  But first, use the RCA outputs on the first amp, if it has any.  But before you do that, check to see if the HU has any extra RCA outputs.

1992 Chevrolet pickup; Jensen VM9412 HU; Alpine 4x6 2-way dash speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 4x6 3-way rear speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 12" subs x 2; Crunch GVP700.2 "Ground Pounder" subwoofer amplifier; Custom Subwoofer box

  • | Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
5 Posts
Points 100
easy replied on Mon, Jul 6 2009 1:14 AM

no it just has the red one and white one

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 75 Contributor
134 Posts
Points 2,380

If the amp doesn't have RCA outputs, then you'll need some RCA Y-adapters.  They should be available at any half-way respectable electronics store.

1992 Chevrolet pickup; Jensen VM9412 HU; Alpine 4x6 2-way dash speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 4x6 3-way rear speakers x 2; Pyle Blue Label 12" subs x 2; Crunch GVP700.2 "Ground Pounder" subwoofer amplifier; Custom Subwoofer box

  • | Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
5 Posts
Points 100
easy replied on Mon, Jul 6 2009 5:21 PM

would i have to run seperate power, ground and remote for the other amp as well then?

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 10 Contributor
634 Posts
Points 8,470
ForumsAdministrator
Verified by Malcolm

In regards to splitting the RCA cables using a y-adapter and sound quality, there actually is a loss there. You are essentially halving the signal voltage for each split, which does decrease the strength and quality of the signal noticeably. To deal with this issue, a line driver can be installed in-line on the RCA's to boost the signal back up significantly.

For the rest of the connections, you will need to provide power, ground and remote to the new amplifier as well. The remote can typically be split once without having to use a relay. The ground will need to run to the same ground point as the other amp. The power can be run separately from the battery, or a thicker power cable can be installed to handle the amperage needs of both amps and then split to each amplifier using a distribution block just before the amps.

 

www.crutchfield.com/Malcolm
  • | Post Points: 40
Top 10 Contributor
14,127 Posts
Points 223,765
Moderator

What head unit do you have?

Actually, I don't recommend Y-adapters.

They will work, but if you were using them in subwoofer mode to control your sub, you won't be able to do that any more, and even if you weren't, you will lose front/rear fader control in any case.

If the amp has speaker-level inputs, I would use those, and if it doesn't, I would recommend a LOC.

Hope This Helps!!!

2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs

  • | Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
5 Posts
Points 100
easy replied on Sat, Jul 18 2009 10:15 AM

ok so i hooked up the 2 amps, ran the seperate power and ground and remote, i bought a line out converter hooked everything up and my head unit started smoking, i think it was too many wats for the head unit, where can i get a decent head unit for maybe 100? stereo shop too expensive right now and *** wal-mart lol

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 10 Contributor
14,127 Posts
Points 223,765
Moderator
Verified by Malcolm

It wouldn't be too many watts for the head unit - you wired something up incorrectly and need to figure out what before you do it again.

These have three sets of RCA's.  These would be fine if you still want to use a LOC.  (Link doesn't seem to be working).

You have other options as well.

Hope This Helps!!!

2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs

  • | Post Points: 30
Page 1 of 1 (11 items) | RSS