mp3 player direct to amp

[pithecanthropus]

Hello
this might sound stupid, is it okay [sound quality-wise] to connect
portable mp3 player directly to power amplifier input via
headphone-to-dual-RCA cables?

thanks in advance,
erectus

[Vivek]

If this the only gear you plan to put in the car then go ahead. With HU you
can get audio processing and EQ curves, but that processing you can buy
additionally at a fraction of HU's price.

Secondly, without the HU things are a little clumpsy in the car. Did you
mention this to be in a car?

"pithecanthropus" > wrote in message
oups.com...
| Hello
| this might sound stupid, is it okay [sound quality-wise] to connect
| portable mp3 player directly to power amplifier input via
| headphone-to-dual-RCA cables?
|
| thanks in advance,
| erectus
|

[MOSFET]

This can be done and would probably work just fine.

The biggest problem you will have, however, is the remote turn-on input on
the amp. On a typical system, your HU sends a wire to your amp to tell it
to turn on. You will not have this with your set-up. So, you can do
several different things. You can simply run your 12 volt power lead into
the remote turn-on input at the amp and your amp will ALWAYS be on. This is
probably the worst idea as an amp draws power even when no audio signal is
present and it is likely your battery will go dead if not run for a few
days. You could also run your ignition wire into this input, this will turn
your amp on every time the key is turned (this may be the best option,
certainly the simplest). Or, you could devise a switch that you flip to
send 12 volt power to your turn-on input. You could mount this switch on
your dash. Hope this helps.

MOSFET

"pithecanthropus" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello
> this might sound stupid, is it okay [sound quality-wise] to connect
> portable mp3 player directly to power amplifier input via
> headphone-to-dual-RCA cables?
>
> thanks in advance,
> erectus
>

[pithecanthropus]

many thanks to Mosfet and Vivek,

yes I'll put this in the car. the audio built in is crap. I plan to
build audio system from the scratch.

based on your advice, think I will mount a dedicated switch with
suitable ampere rating [i will look at amplifier rating to avoid switch
overheating] to a dashboard. install a craddle to hold amplifier below
the dash [i want to make cable as short as possible from mp3 player to
amplifier to maintain best signal].

about DSP [EQ, time align, etc] I hold it for now, budget limits. the
amp has built-in HPF and LPF think it's enough.

thanks, erectus.

[MOSFET]

Keep in mind, you will want to connect your amp directly to your battery (as
long as you use the appropriate fuses or circuit breakers), see this group's
FAQ at: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/rec.audio.car/FAQ/
This will tell you how to install your amp.

But as far as the remote turn on lead, ANY switch will do as the amperage
required is very, very small. I would not worry about amperage rating for
this job, I PROMISE ANY SWITCH WILL WORK JUST FINE. Remember, the amp gets
it's power from the battery lead, not the remote turn-on lead.

MOSFET

"pithecanthropus" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> many thanks to Mosfet and Vivek,
>
> yes I'll put this in the car. the audio built in is crap. I plan to
> build audio system from the scratch.
>
> based on your advice, think I will mount a dedicated switch with
> suitable ampere rating [i will look at amplifier rating to avoid switch
> overheating] to a dashboard. install a craddle to hold amplifier below
> the dash [i want to make cable as short as possible from mp3 player to
> amplifier to maintain best signal].
>
> about DSP [EQ, time align, etc] I hold it for now, budget limits. the
> amp has built-in HPF and LPF think it's enough.
>
> thanks, erectus.
>

[MOSFET]

See my other message. I think you may be confused into thinking that the
switch controls ALL the power going into the amp. This is simply not true.
Again, the amp connects directly to the battery (NO SWITCH IS EVER USED!).
The remote turn-on lead is what turns the amp on or off (and uses virtually
no current).

MOSFET

"pithecanthropus" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> many thanks to Mosfet and Vivek,
>
> yes I'll put this in the car. the audio built in is crap. I plan to
> build audio system from the scratch.
>
> based on your advice, think I will mount a dedicated switch with
> suitable ampere rating [i will look at amplifier rating to avoid switch
> overheating] to a dashboard. install a craddle to hold amplifier below
> the dash [i want to make cable as short as possible from mp3 player to
> amplifier to maintain best signal].
>
> about DSP [EQ, time align, etc] I hold it for now, budget limits. the
> amp has built-in HPF and LPF think it's enough.
>
> thanks, erectus.
>

[pithecanthropus]

ah yes... that's true Mosfet.
I look into pioneer amp manual [the one I plan to buy], yes the power
cable connected all the time to battery, and REMOTE SIGNAL is used to
control it on/off. okay it'sclear now, amperage shouldn't be the
problem for switch. that's make easier! thank you.

my plan for system: Cowon iAudio 5 256 MB, Pioneer GM-3100T, Infinity
Kappa 60.7cs or Polk Audio db6500 [hard to decide]. that would be less
than $400 including installation fees, cables, dampening mats, fuses
etc.


..

[pithecanthropus]

to make myself clear, I'll tap +12V from ignition switch lead to a
dedicated amp switch then to remote turn-on. is that correct?

thanks, erectus.

[MOSFET]

Yes. Exactly right. That should work PERFECTLY.

MOSFET

"pithecanthropus" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> to make myself clear, I'll tap +12V from ignition switch lead to a
> dedicated amp switch then to remote turn-on. is that correct?
>
> thanks, erectus.
>