Carisma: Input Line Question

[Donk]

Originally Posted by Carisma Audio

Advise from someone that has installed for 20 years don't take shortcuts you will end up with issues!!! If you do not have line level in use a line level convertor so your system works properly.

Carisma: on your installs where your customer wants to keep the HK stock radio and use an amp what do you do? Do you use high level inputs for the amp or do you do a line level convertor and run the RCA?

[Carisma Audio]

When I install a amp with the factory radio I use a scope to find where the factory radio clips with a test cd and external speaker, then I move to the setting of the gains on the new amp with the same cd and test speaker so I know that I am getting the best performance from the head unit and the amp.

[Donk]

Originally Posted by Carisma Audio

When I install a amp with the factory radio I use a scope to find where the factory radio clips with a test cd and external speaker, then I move to the setting of the gains on the new amp with the same cd and test speaker so I know that I am getting the best performance from the head unit and the amp.

In your experience where are you seeing the factory radios clipping?

[BostonPhil]

Originally Posted by Donk

In your experience where are you seeing the factory radios clipping?

A shade over 1/2 volume from my experience.

What's up Jason. Happy to find another industry guru here.

[Carisma Audio]

You are correct when using a o scope to test the output it clips at half volume.

[bbass]

Originally Posted by TobyJ

Actually, my first choice would be to ditch the stock harley head. I just did, in favor of a Sony marine unit with Ipod control, and I couldn't be happier. I sold my stock head on ebay for a bit more than the sony and Biketronics adapters cost me. Win Win.

Toby

Which model Sony marine unit did you wind up going with?

[dres22]

I used this by David Navone. Sounds good and has been durable. What is really nice is it includes a remote turn on connection so that the amp will turn on and off withthe radio.
http://davidnavone.com/zencart/index...=index&cPath=1

[UltraNutZ]

Originally Posted by Carisma Audio

Advise from someone that has installed for 20 years don't take shortcuts you will end up with issues!!! If you do not have line level in use a line level convertor so your system works properly.

Good advice here.. and yes I know this thread is old but some of the information posted here is incorrect.

First HK does in fact use isolated grounds on their headunits so they are NOT common and this method of soldering RCA jacks directly to speaker leads should not be used. There is a reason for converting speaker leads to RCA jacks using an appropriate adapter and it usually boils down to ground loops and input voltages for amps. Yes some amps can handle high level inputs, but those that do not have high level inputs, CANNOT. You tie high level inputs into an amp that only has RCA jacks and I can almost guarantee a short life span of your amp. Ground loops, well this has been the evil witch in car audio since way before I started doing it in the early 80s. Ground issues can be a biatch to troubleshoot if you've got those issues so why do something like this and make your troubleshooting steps that much more complicated.