Can anyone advise on how to connect an aftermarket amp to a stock Business head unit?
I have an amp lying around but it only has RCA inputs. :blink:
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Stock Head Unit - Aftermarket Amp connectivity (RCA)
Stock Head Unit - Aftermarket Amp connectivity (RCA)
E70 X5 35d M-Sport
Black Sapphire / Tan Leather - LCI Tail Lights
E53 X5 3.0d M-Sport
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Black Sapphire / Tan Leather - LCI Tail Lights
E53 X5 3.0d M-Sport
Sold
- Steamyrotter
- Snr Member
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Stock Head Unit - Aftermarket Amp connectivity (RCA)
Done this on mine.
Used a similar convertor to that posted
Run RCA to boot.
Note you may pick up noise from the IBus & other equipment up front depending on position and connection...
There are a few little things to note...
The Amp On/Off signal wire stays on If you turn the ignition on.... So amps stay powered up
My way round this was i made an IBus module to detect the Radio On/Off button press then trigger a relay to operate the Amps.
The other thing to note is that if you have Phone prep etc they usually send this to the Front Outputs. Wonder how i know that!!!??
You could also have a problem with this not turning the amp on if you use it....
Way round that - fit a bypass relay to the Speaker outputs so that when the amp is off the speakers are re-connected to the head unit, amp on then speakers connected to amp. Simples..
Used a similar convertor to that posted
Run RCA to boot.
Note you may pick up noise from the IBus & other equipment up front depending on position and connection...
There are a few little things to note...
The Amp On/Off signal wire stays on If you turn the ignition on.... So amps stay powered up

My way round this was i made an IBus module to detect the Radio On/Off button press then trigger a relay to operate the Amps.
The other thing to note is that if you have Phone prep etc they usually send this to the Front Outputs. Wonder how i know that!!!??
You could also have a problem with this not turning the amp on if you use it....
Way round that - fit a bypass relay to the Speaker outputs so that when the amp is off the speakers are re-connected to the head unit, amp on then speakers connected to amp. Simples..
If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking bollox.. O:-)