17 replies to this topic

[jim4eva]

Hi,

I'm doing the wiring for my amp and I'm doing the RCA cable from the amp to the head unit.
the amp can be switched to either high level (speaker wire) or low level (RCA wire) input.
the wiring kit I bought has an RCA cable in it, which to me suggests it should be compatible with high level input, considering it's got some swanky RCA plugs on the end.
should I use the one in the kit or should I use speaker cable?

thanks!

[R1minimagic]

RCA will give you better quality

[jim4eva]

RCA will give you better quality

thanks for you response,

I had assumed that high level meant 'better'.
just read an article which corrected me.

thanks for your help!

[Dan]

I don't think you understand why speaker level is called high level and the pre-amp out is low level, it's not related to the quality or makeup of the leads used. Speaker outs are amplified and designed to drive a speaker, the RCA connectors in a head unit are pre-amp outs at the basic signal level used inside the equipment which is called line level. This is the actual signal coming from the recording. The speaker level input to an amp will be put through a circuit to kill the power down to line level and reduce noise before the amp does anything else with the signal. Line level inputs must be connected to line level outputs and speaker level inputs must be connected to speaker level outputs. Line and speaker level circuits work at different powers and require different impedence equipment to be connected. The type of cable used is largely irrelevant. If you connect the line level output to your amp and tell it that it's a speaker level signal, you will get very little output and also could destroy both the amp and headunit. High quality cable doesn't give you a high level signal from a low level output.

[R1minimagic]

Ok, let me re-word it, use the RCA leads, you will get better quality sound.

[jim4eva]

I don't think you understand why speaker level is called high level and the pre-amp out is low level, it's not related to the quality or makeup of the leads used. Speaker outs are amplified and designed to drive a speaker, the RCA connectors in a head unit are pre-amp outs at the basic signal level used inside the equipment which is called line level. This is the actual signal coming from the recording. The speaker level input to an amp will be put through a circuit to kill the power down to line level and reduce noise before the amp does anything else with the signal. Line level inputs must be connected to line level outputs and speaker level inputs must be connected to speaker level outputs. Line and speaker level circuits work at different powers and require different impedence equipment to be connected. The type of cable used is largely irrelevant. If you connect the line level output to your amp and tell it that it's a speaker level signal, you will get very little output and also could destroy both the amp and headunit. High quality cable doesn't give you a high level signal from a low level output.

thanks for the help there!
one more quick question,
do you either take power straight from the battery OR from the remote turn on?
thanks!

[R1minimagic]

You need both, amps take a lot of power so you need a good thick power feed from the battery and another small feed from the ignition to turn it on

[jim4eva]

You need both, amps take a lot of power so you need a good thick power feed from the battery and another small feed from the ignition to turn it on

thanks, that's what I thought, as I read more into these cables I get more and more confused...
which is what makes the mini forum so useful because I can get straight answers.

thanks again!

[minilester]

thanks for the help there!
one more quick question,
do you either take power straight from the battery OR from the remote turn on?
thanks!

or was you asking "how to" to wich the answer is something like this!

[jim4eva]

thanks for the help there!
one more quick question,
do you either take power straight from the battery OR from the remote turn on?
thanks!

or was you asking "how to" to wich the answer is something like this!

that's a really useful visual aid...
and such pretty colours too!

[minilester]

that's a really useful visual aid...
and such pretty colours too!

thanks.. but as the pic shows.. i didnt do it.. by the lloks of it i may have been a 5year old... lol

[jim4eva]

that's a really useful visual aid...
and such pretty colours too!

thanks.. but as the pic shows.. i didnt do it.. by the lloks of it i may have been a 5year old... lol

lol, well in any case, very useful stuff!
thanks

[R1minimagic]

Lol, yes the speakers should be pointing inside the car and have a +ve and -ve feed but it gets the point across fine!!!

[minilester]

Lol, yes the speakers should be pointing inside the car and have a +ve and -ve feed but it gets the point across fine!!!

really.. i cant jst use big purple tubes instead of wires? lol

if you want something a little more detailed i could mock something up for you with a wire for wire account of where it should all go... if you want that is

[R1minimagic]

Well, only if you put accurate dimensions, in which case i have no objection