low-level output on stock system

[superior]

I haven't ever actually dug into the rear panels and gotten to the amp yet. Is the connection from the head unit to the factory amp via RCA wires already, just perhaps without the male tips on the ends?

So if I wanted to keep the factory amp running my speakers as it is now, but tap into the signal to add a subwoofer amp, would I do the same thing but leave the one set of wires bare to be reinserted to the factory amp? The Kicker amps I have looked at accept speaker wire as high-level inputs, so could I simply tap into the wires and diverge them into two?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense, not sure how to word it.

And thanks again, it is very nice to have such a knowledgeable source on here!

[DouglasABaker]

Originally Posted by superior

I haven't ever actually dug into the rear panels and gotten to the amp yet. Is the connection from the head unit to the factory amp via RCA wires already, just perhaps without the male tips on the ends?

So if I wanted to keep the factory amp running my speakers as it is now, but tap into the signal to add a subwoofer amp, would I do the same thing but leave the one set of wires bare to be reinserted to the factory amp? The Kicker amps I have looked at accept speaker wire as high-level inputs, so could I simply tap into the wires and diverge them into two?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense, not sure how to word it.

And thanks again, it is very nice to have such a knowledgeable source on here!

No problem, I gotcha...

Your radio is attached to the amplifier via individual wires that are in harnesses. In other words, you'll find a harness of wires attached to the radio - some of those wires go to the amplifier where they are in another harness.

So... since you are looking to add a sub but keep your existing amplifier you should "tap" into the existing wires and run those directly to the amplifier speaker level inputs.

There is no "good" way to tap the wires, but the best available alternative is probably something called Scotch-loks Tap Connectors. You simply position one of these over the wire you want to tap into and then add your new wire to it before crimping.

You'll want to tap into the Front Left +/- and also the Right Rear +/- (it doesn't matter, but you want a Front and Rear and a Left and Right). Those 4 wires will then run to the speaker level inputs on your amplifier.

d-

[UKenGB]

Thanks for the explanation. Just to clarify, I am a science graduate (although not in electronics) and have worked in the automotive industry (ran Honda's Technical Training Schools for some years) and more recently in IT (database development). So yes, you could say I'm a technical kinda guy and Ohms Law etc is not exactly unfamiliar. However, the principles of electronic design are beyond my experience, hence my need for explanation.

My requirements will be for the outputs of the BMW radio module to be fed into an AudioControl 6XS which will handle active crossover duties and pass the signal onto the Nakamichi amps which have an input sensitivity of 0.2 - 0.8V, but it seems to me that it's the 6XS that needs to be able to cope with BMW's balanced signals, yes?

In any case, I have determined that Genesis' (the UK amp people) Hi Level converter is happy to accept the BMW 5V balanced signal and will output a single ended signal suitable for the input of any amp. Problem solved

Thank you all for your input.

[DouglasABaker]

Originally Posted by UKenGB

Thanks for the explanation. Just to clarify, I am a science graduate (although not in electronics) and have worked in the automotive industry (ran Honda's Technical Training Schools for some years) and more recently in IT (database development). So yes, you could say I'm a technical kinda guy and Ohms Law etc is not exactly unfamiliar. However, the principles of electronic design are beyond my experience, hence my need for explanation.

My requirements will be for the outputs of the BMW radio module to be fed into an AudioControl 6XS which will handle active crossover duties and pass the signal onto the Nakamichi amps which have an input sensitivity of 0.2 - 0.8V, but it seems to me that it's the 6XS that needs to be able to cope with BMW's balanced signals, yes?

In any case, I have determined that Genesis' (the UK amp people) Hi Level converter is happy to accept the BMW 5V balanced signal and will output a single ended signal suitable for the input of any amp. Problem solved

Thank you all for your input.

You are correct - the Audiocontrol needs to be able to accept the BMW signal. My quick read of the owners manual didn't give a spec as to whether it can or not. What is did reveal, is that the 6XS outputs a variable high voltage signal (9V RMS). I'm pretty sure you won't be able to feed the 6XS output directly to your Naks since your Nak only accepts <1V signals.

I bring this up just to make sure you have enough LOC's - you may need them both before AND after the 6XS ...

Also, note that an LOC is NOT the same as a balanced -> unbalanced converter (balun), so make sure you ask them specifically. An LOC is a simple tranformer while a balun does exactly what it says...

d-

[superior]

Thanks a million Mr Baker. I am now looking forward to jumping right in on this pretty straightforward job with all of the detailed info you have supplied. You have been a huge help!

[DouglasABaker]

Originally Posted by superior

Thanks a million Mr Baker. I am now looking forward to jumping right in on this pretty straightforward job with all of the detailed info you have supplied. You have been a huge help!

Always happy to help - let me know if you have any more questions!

d-

[UKenGB]

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

...the 6XS outputs a variable high voltage signal (9V RMS). I'm pretty sure you won't be able to feed the 6XS output directly to your Naks since your Nak only accepts <1V signals.

I bring this up just to make sure you have enough LOC's - you may need them both before AND after the 6XS ...

Also, note that an LOC is NOT the same as a balanced -> unbalanced converter (balun), so make sure you ask them specifically. An LOC is a simple tranformer while a balun does exactly what it says...

d-

Hmm, I'll have to check out the 6XS further. Damn, thought I had it all sussed

The Genesis Hi Level converter can specifically accept the 5v balanced signal, it is designed to be able to do this. The Genesis designer told me this himself - they are a great company, really helpful.

[DouglasABaker]

I'm interested in this Genesis product - do you have a link?

d-

[UKenGB]

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

I'm interested in this Genesis product - do you have a link?

The unit I mentioned is the S3HI4 (4 channel high level converter, part of the Series III range). I was intending to use their amps, but to be honest cannot afford not to use what I already have, what with all the other stuff I want to get sorted on the X5. I will be buying an S3HI4 though. I could get another if you want and ship it to you if that would help?

Their website is http://www.genesiscaraudio.net/, but not great to be honest, although they are aware of this and in the process of sorting it out - as a web designer I offered to help, but they have someone already in place:-( Unfortunately, the S3HI4 is not mentioned at all, only their amps and speakers.

The 6XS output has level adjustment and I'm sure can be controlled to be compatible with my amps, but I'm waiting on a response from AudioControl to confirm.

[DouglasABaker]

What I'd really like to see are some specs on the S3HI4 - I looked on their site, but as you said, it isn't there. If they've got some and it matches what I need then yes, I'd probably be interested!

d-