Some basic questions, please help.

Hello everyone,

I have some pretty basic 12v questions, but first info on my setup:

amps:

(1) PG Limited Edition Octane Amp (Driving subs and rears) housed in the trunk.

(1) PG ti400.2 (Driving Fronts) housed in the trunk.

Speakers:

(2) JL aduio 12x6v2's housed in trunk.

eventually either focal or JL components

Car:

98 Honda Accord 4 cyl

Questions:

1) Does it make a difference, SQ or otherwise, if I run 2 seperate pairs of RCA cables (one pair to the octane and one pair to the 400.2) to the trunk VS. running one long pair to the Octane and using the aux output of the octane to go into the 400.2? 

2) I recently came across a Zapco AGM-V variable gain module. I believe this boost the line out from my deck to allow my amps to operate more efficiently. I was thinking about using this in my system, but I do not know where to get power for it...I would like to house it in the trunk. unless people think i should house it up front, near the deck...

Thanks for everyone's input!

~Alvin

I can't answer your questions fully, but i can add my grain of sand...

For the first question,  I'm not sure about sound quality, but with separate wires, you have the advantage of using the fader control... That means that you have the means to control the front/back volume on the fly from your head unit....

I find that this is ocasionally useful.  For example, sometimes i need to give rides to my parents, who like to sit in the back...  They don't like my music too much, so i use the fader control to completely mute the back spakers while they're in the car... 

For the second question, i'd have the gain amplification as close to the head unit as posible. That way it's harder for the cable to pick up interference along the way.