never installed an amp before

I just finnished instaling a  head unit and I was thinking about installing an amp. I've never installed an amp befor so I'm pretty ignorant. If I was to go out today and buy an amp what all would I need to hook it up? And how do you hook it up?

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Keep music Evil

amps are simple, once you get a basic idea of what the hell is going on. i'd suggest, if you can arrange it, is watching/helping someone else do an amp install. in this kinda field the best way is hands on.

https://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/car/amplifiers_movie.html

This should help.  There is a good text tutorial on that site too.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

https://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-OjODjybJy4V/learningcenter/car/amplifiers_install_steps.html

Forgot the link to the text tutorial.  This has a list of materials you'll need.

kfr

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Heres a quick overview. To hook up a amp you will need; 1. a power wire to the battery, as well as a connector to the terminal and a fuse. 2. a turn on wire to your head unit. 3. a rca cable to your head unit. 4. a ground wire. 5. speaker wire to hook it up to your speakers or subs.  You will also need some screws or velcro to mount it. 

When you buy the amp, buy a amp installation kit, this wil include all those things. Buy a amp kit that matches the wattage of your amp.

What is this amp going to be used for? Speakers or subs?  If you are unsure as to what amp to buy (their are MANY) the professionals on this site will be able to help you out there.

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Thanks everyone. I havn't baught an amp yet but I think I will now. It doesn't seem to hard. my stereo sounds good so I think all I need is a sub or two. For now I'm broke but as soon as I get paid I think I'll go out and get one. Do you guys know what would be a good amp for real cheap?

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Keep music Evil

US Acoustics and Lightning Audio make some pretty good entry level amps. Stay away from brands like legacy, pyramid, power acoustik, sony, kenwood, and lanzar.

I watch Ebay selling prices on amps from time to time, and have seen that it is common for people to pay more on Ebay than they would pay for the same amp from a legitimate retailer.  Avoid that experience.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Since you're going to install it yourself anyway, I'd try ebay.  Diamond, Memphis, Eclipse, Zapco, Xtant, Alpine, Mtx ... come to mind as great brands I always see floating around ebay for pretty cheap considering their higher msrps.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

I see a 500 watt alpine amp for $29 in my local penny saver. It doesn't say anything else about it. Do you guys think that this would be a good buy?

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Keep music Evil

Also a Rockford Fosgate, 600 watts for $49

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Keep music Evil

Twenty-nine dollars??!!  You can't start out that way, you just can't.  Start here.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Id go for it, hell for $29 your not out anything, If it turns out you dont like it, you can probably turn around and sell it for more than that anyways.

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I doubt that amp will work.