Daisy Chain Amps

I've got one Coustic 161SE Amp and would like to add another amplifier to my current set up. Currently my Coustic Amp is running my 6x9's and my fronts are running off my head unit, staging isn't the best under this current set up and thus the need to add an additional amplifier. The Coustic Amp comes with a pair of RCA's to allow the addition of another amp, but that is where my confusion begins. Can someone provide me some step by step instructions to add another amp? I plan on buying a larger amp to run my 6x9's and to use my Coustic to run my 6 1/2's up front. I Know that a 4 Channel amp would make it easier, but since I've got this great little 2 Channel amp I would like to integrate another 2 Channel amp into my set up. Please help!

Regards,

Razorbacx

What kind of head unit do you have  (brand/model number)?  If it has two sets of preamp outputs then you'd be better off hooking up the 2nd amp to the 2nd set of preamp outputs, so that you don't lose the ability to fade.

If your head unit just has one set of RCA outs, or if for some reason you really really wanna use the pass through RCAs of your current amp, then you'd need one of these dual-amp fader knob thingies if you want to be able to fade front to rear.  Otherwise it will treat both amps as one and the only way you can adjust between the two would be directly at the amplifiers themselves.

As for the power/ground connections, that will all depend on what size cable was used when your current amp was installed.  Most likely though you will need to upgrade to 4-gauge so that you only have one power cable running from the battery back to where the amps are mounted.  Each amp should have its own 8 gauge power connection--either via two separate 8-gauge power cables run to the positive battery terminal, or via the 8-gauge outputs of a 4/8 distribution block.  Same thing goes for the ground wires, but those you always want to keep them as short as possible and ground them to the same point on the vehicle's chassis.

Thanks for your responses!

esmith, to answer your question, I have a Pioneer DEH-550MP CD/MP3 HU and yes it has dual RCA outputs. Actually, it has a third set that allows for the addition of a subwoofer.

So, if I add another 2 Channel amp I need to add a 4/8 Distribution Block (no problem understanding that), but do the Grounds need to run thru one as well, even if I have the amps installed in two separate locations (under passenger seat and trunk)? You said that I need to have my Ground Wires grounded at the same point, why?

Razorbacx

Ahhh I love that head unit!  lol anyways as for your questions...

Sometimes if you ground them too far apart you'll introduce a ground loop into the system.  Usually this is not a problem, but also usually multiple amps are mounted close to each other.

In your situation I'd say just ground each amp right near wherever each one is mounted (separately) and if you do get ground loop noise use a ground loop isolator to get rid of it.  Assuming you are not able to relocate one of the amps, it'd be better to use one of those isolators than to lengthen the ground wire of one of the amps.

The grounds do not need to be run through a distro. block but like I said usually both amps are mounted next to each other and it just makes for a cleaner and simpler installation.

If you did decide to use a distro. block for the grounds just make sure that the single main wire that gets connected to your vehicle's chassis is a 4-gauge or larger.  You always want to have the grounds be at least as big as the size of the power cables.

Thank you once again! This website ROCKS!

Razorbacx