line-out converter necessary?

hi. im trying to install a sub into a 2000 chevy cavalier. there are no pre-outs on the stock cd player. how do i go about connecting signal to the amp? the amp has high level inputs, but I still want to have the 4 speakers powered. thanks.

The easiest way is to take a signal off the rear speakers (both L and R) and use a line-out converter to connect to your sub amp.  You can either tap into the speaker leads at the head unit in your dash, or at the speakers themselves.

how much does a line-out convertor go for? and do most car-audio places carry them, or are they rarely needed, and thus hard to find?

You can use the high level inputs built into the amp OR use an outboard LOC, they are in essence one of the same. At no time do you have to disconnect any speakers from being used in the system. All you need to do to use either method is to splice into the positive and negative speaker lines in your car, for simplicities sake, you will probably tap into the rear speakers. All this does is "sample" the signal, it is then converted into a signal that the amp can use to power the sub. Any car audio store usually stocks LOC (I'm sold out right now - oops) and are very easy to find and install. If you run into problems there are numerous people here who can help you out. Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

No, Line out converters are very common. There are alot of people who do what you're doing. And you can order them online. I've actually seen one on partexpress.com for 3 bucks (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=17959250&St=8024&St2=48177688&St3=78347424&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=15718&DID=7) I don't know how good it is though. PAC also carries one as well. There are a couple people here that would probably recommend that one. ( http://www.go2pac.com/products/loc.htm )Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.   

For most people with entry and mid level systems, the built in LOC (high level inputs) on an amp will do a great job. For a high end amp / sub combo, sometimes it is best to use a fully adjustable outboard LOC. There is also another way to go about this task, it is to use a built on high level input in certain Audio Control components, these components do a great job at their specific task and in a lot of times also provide a much greater signal and quality of sound for the amp to reproduce. I do not think that this is the case for this particular post though. I tend to believe that this particular case would do just fine with the built in high level inputs on the amp.Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

At the risk of seeming like I'm posting uselessly, all I can add to the above is DITTO.