So i'll eventually be putting some subs in the car but i want to keep the factory head unit so i can still use the steering wheel controls and dont lose function of the screen on my dash. I've read that you can use a Line Output Converter to hook an amp up to the head unit. Any of you guys ever done this before?

yeh i have and tap has also, works pretty good, if you never messed with things like that i'd have us do it

Yeah, im not a big fan of things like that(wiring)...when i get everything we'll have a woosta meet project haha

wouldn't wanna do that in a parking lot,.....w.e u do no walmart shit

Yeah, i wont cheap out on anything

good man

The line out basically convert a channe on your radio l into an RCA output. I did this a LONG time ago on and if I remember correclty, I used the rear channels and converted them into RCA outputs.

Thereis nothing else out there nowadays that still allows the use of the radio controls and allows you to retain all the channels on your stock radio?

I have also done this. My g20 is currently set up that way

My Cobra has the Factory head unit wired to a sony 1000w Amp and 2 10 in subs...i had a power switch hooked up so i can run just the factory set up too....

There are ways to rewire stuff so you can use the controls with a new headunit but i think using a LOC is more simple than rewiring all kinds of stuff

I have an extra line output converter if you need one Andrew, it is a good quality one I used to use in my Trans Am.

to be honest in most newer cars i recommend getting your hands on gasp i cant believe i am saying this brand but a jl audio clean sweep they work awesome and have tremendous sound quality

also i guess you cant knock walmart too hard seeing as in 2007 they were named 12 volt retailer of the year i mean they dont carry high end shit but alot of their shit is quality esp for a beginner but hyland i recommend a clean sweep you will be happier with the end result let me know when ya wanna do it man

If you have the money x2 on the clean sweep. I installed the PAC one in my car tonight that is for GM cars so it just hooked up to the wiring harness and I have a ground loop isolator on the amp. Seems to be working well.

Good to know. Im gonna be buying HIDs soon and then i'll be saving for my system so i'll be posting for some more help soon haha

this is what you need buddy esp if your keeping the factory headunit any other help you need pm me or call me!

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksi...-All-Categories

you like JL

shut it ED!

i remember setting up the gains on the LOC on my system one time to try to match the amp gains. this can be tricky to try to max your system for your jammin sessions. at low head unit output/volumes it sounds great. but when I really wanted everyone to hear my tunes...the amp seemed to want to clip. I was using a PPI 200 amp coming off a LOC from a factory deck. your system is only as good as its weakest component. if your deck is 1% THD and your amp is .01% THD you are going to get distortion from the deck and it is going to sound like crap at 1/2 volume. this distortion can only be cleared by adjusting the gains down (amp/LOC), which limits how loud your system will crank when you want it to. ARGGGGH! this frustrated me to the point where i didn't care anymore whether I had volume controls at the wheel...I WANTED MY TUNES LOUD DAMN IT! so, i upgraded to a deck with RCA 5v outs and was able to let everyone around me enjoy my tunes as well. MWWAAAAUUUUGHGHAHAHAH! panties dropping all around me at last!!! some amps have high level inputs. but those amps tend to be crappy pk values (instead of RMS) and have shitty curves for the xovers. my PPI 1000 had a separate remote adjustment for gains which helped me to adjust this on the fly. a line isolation xfmr will block any dc noise emitted from your car from getting into the amplifier. an active xover will do the same thing. this JL audio product seems like your best bet until you want a louder/cleaner sound. if you are just using this for bass then you can get by with a little dirty input as the class D mosfets in those amps will take a little more abuse before distorting masked by 10 or 12" woofers. hope this helps! take care of him tap.