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Multi Amp or Single Amp

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=49691
Printed Date: April 20, 2024 at 5:20 AM


Topic: Multi Amp or Single Amp

Posted By: FreakypervSD
Subject: Multi Amp or Single Amp
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 12:55 AM

I have a Pioneer reciever with only 1 set of of RCA outputs.

2 amps a Hifonics 120w 4 channel w / built in crossovers and a  Rockford Fosgate Punch 150w 2 channel.

2 subs and I believe 6 factory speakers . Toyota 4runner '94

My question is since I only have a 1 set of RCA outputs is there a setup to run the 2 amps or should i run only 1 amp?

?Thanks for any help...




Replies:

Posted By: slammedb5
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 1:01 AM
Get a set of RCA splitters, and run 2 RCA's, one for each amp. Your 2 ch amp (for subs?)should be set to low pass, and your 4 ch should be set to all or high pass, depending on your listening tastes/setup. Or, run one set of RCA's to the 4 ch, and if it has pass through, get a short set of RCA's to run to the 2 ch. Not the best way to do it, but it will work.

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EK Civic
security
no audio





Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 1:12 AM
What are you planning to use the two amps for, 2 subs and 6 factory speakers?



Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 2:30 AM

yes I was thinking of using the PUNCH 150s for the subs and the Hifonics 120w for the other speakers....unless there are other options? I'll get better speakers than the factory later..




Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 2:51 AM
Take a look at your amps and see what kind of crossovers they have built in.  If the amp only has a low pass setting, it will cut off all the higher frequencies when the brossover is used.  That is an amp built for subs only.  If it has both, you can use it for either subs or regular speakers, depending on how you set the crossover, to low or high pass.

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do



Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 3:32 AM

yes both have hi and lows.. on the 2 channel amp use for subs i would  turn the treble ( as it says )  all the way down and the base  ( same )  all the way up...




Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 3:58 AM

Another thing, If I use an RCA splitter on the Reciever...would I be splitting the red plug (left side) to one amp and the white plug (right side) to the other amp? would that have any effect on  sound quality?




Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 4:22 AM
The splitter splits both right and left channels.  So you have the red input to 2 red outputs and white input to 2 white outputs.  So both a red and white still go to each amp. 

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do



Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 4:47 AM
duh I knew that  posted_image lol had a brain fart  on that but I got it...hehe thanks...



Posted By: norcalcreations
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:16 AM

doesn't that divide the voltage of the output in half?  I would buy a hi-low converter.  You hook up speaker wires to get another set of rca's.  you can get 4 channel ones at walmart for under 20 bucks.



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If you think you know everything you will learn nothing



Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:27 AM
I have heard from many pros on this subject on posts here. I can't remember one that uses the converter method.  They have all recommended using the RCA splitter to anyone who has an amp with only one RCA output.  Me personally, I have a $600 Alpine deck that I got on the internet for $350 new.  It has 3 sets of 4-volt preouts and no built in amp. 

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do



Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:29 AM
No, norcal....voltage will not be divided.  Splitting the RCA's is a far better method than high level input.  Use the line out (if one of the amps has one) to feed the second amp.  If neither amp has line out, use the splitters as stated above.  Keep deck controls at full range and use the pass filters on the amps.



Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:31 AM
If only my dang Alpine deck played MP3s, it would be the perfect deck for me.  Bah, I'll have to upgrade when I buy a new car and just sell my truck with this deck in it.

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do



Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:10 PM

so is quality affected? I mean is there an big or noticeable difference in having only 1 set of RCA outlets and splitting them than having 2 sets or RCA outs? Would It be worth getting a new reciever with 2 sets or RCA outs? (besides this headache :)




Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 09, 2005 at 5:33 PM
I don't think you will have any problems with the splitter.  Just use decent twisted wire RCA cables with good shielding and you should be fine.  It's not worth spending another $200 or more to get a better head unit.  Back in the day my head unit cost $550+tax retail, but it has 3 sets of RCA outs and they are all 4-volt.  Unless you are going hard core you won't want to spend the $300 and up it will cost these days to get a head unit like mine even though the price has come down a little.

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do



Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 10:45 PM
Ok which is better Splitting the single RCA with Y adapters to make 2 sets? or using the Single RCA run through 1 amp and if the amp has an output or passthru output connecting it to the the 2nd amp?



Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 10:52 PM

stevdart wrote:
Use the line out (if one of the amps has one) to feed the second amp.  If neither amp has line out, use the splitters as stated above.

...been said...




Posted By: FreakypervSD
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 11:05 PM
right but the question was which would be better...it also said earlier that running the single to 1 amp and pass through to the 2nd  was "not the best way to do it" . I can actually do both having the 2 y adaptors and an amp with an output...but thanks for the speedy reply.posted_image



Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: February 12, 2005 at 6:45 AM
I don't think anyone can answer your last question Freaky.  You probably will get no audible difference either way.  You can try both ways and you'll probably be able to hear that for yourself.  It shouldn't take too long to try both ways and then you can decide which you like better. 

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posted_image Plan, Research, Do


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