mp3 bike set up

[deauville rider]

I'm trying so set up a cheap system on my honda bike to plug in my
mp3/radio player.
Got a 25w+25w car power amp from boot sale, am I right in thinking I
need a pre-amp between the two(because the amp is designed for i/p from
car radio)
Can anyone tell me what output level the preamp o/p would need to be,
and can you suggest a preamp

[Scott Gardner]

On 16 Oct 2005 12:04:17 -0700, "deauville rider"
> wrote:

>I'm trying so set up a cheap system on my honda bike to plug in my
>mp3/radio player.
>Got a 25w+25w car power amp from boot sale, am I right in thinking I
>need a pre-amp between the two(because the amp is designed for i/p from
>car radio)
>Can anyone tell me what output level the preamp o/p would need to be,
>and can you suggest a preamp

The "headphone out" voltage on most CD/MP3 players is within the range
that car amplifiers are designed to accept. Even the "line out"
voltage will work, if you have a line output, since I believe they use
a standard 0.7V output.

If you use the headphone output from your player, turn the gain all
the way down on the amp, set your MP3 player's volume to about 75%,
and then while you're playing a fairly loud song, turn the gain up on
the amplifier until the sound starts to distort. Turn the gain back
down until the distortion goes away, and you should be all set.

The only time you really need a dedicated preamp is when you have a
source with a very low output voltage, like a record turntable.
--
Scott Gardner

"Evolution is a harsh mistress."

[deauville rider]

Thanks Scott
I've tried from mp3 to amp and can only hear anything with my ear right
up to speaker (no gain control on amp)
I've also gone from mp3 to small active speaker and then from o/p of
active speaker (usually connected to left speaker), and the o/p of amp
sounds no louder than that of the SMALL actice speaker. So igaees maybe
the amp is duff

[Scott Gardner]

On 16 Oct 2005 13:39:53 -0700, "deauville rider"
> wrote:

>Thanks Scott
>I've tried from mp3 to amp and can only hear anything with my ear right
>up to speaker (no gain control on amp)
>I've also gone from mp3 to small active speaker and then from o/p of
>active speaker (usually connected to left speaker), and the o/p of amp
>sounds no louder than that of the SMALL actice speaker. So igaees maybe
>the amp is duff

Ack -- I'm kind of at a loss if your amplifier doesn't have any gain
controls on it. Before you go any further, I'd try connecting the amp
to the preamp outputs of a tape deck or a CD player. If you can't get
reasonable volume from the amp that way, then you may be correct that
your amp is broken.


--
Scott Gardner

"What happens on cruise, stays on cruise." (Navy saying)

[Chad Wahls]

The amp probably wants a speaker level input, a very small IC type
power amp wpuld work. IMHO there are scads of low power amps out there
on Ebay that would be cheaper than your time modifying this one....
What type of bike? Is it a fairing situation? is there an existing
sound system?

Chad

[deauville rider]

Yes I think that might be the best idea Chad
It's a Hona Deauville 650cc almost fully enclosed with panels. Honda
ntv650 shaft drive with clothes on
No existing sound system.
thanks