Miata Mailing List: May 1996, Message #361
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   From: KOSMAOGLOU%OPSBRD%LOCAL@ErlH.Siemens.DE
Subject: Re: Adding Amp to Factory Stereo
   Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 10:04:03 -0400


From:	SAGMED::"miata@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu"
Date:    3-MAY-1996 15:26:12.07
To:	KOSMAOGLOU
CC:	
Subj:	Adding Amp to Factory Stereo

Let's take it one by one:
1) No, the factory radio does not have line level outputs.
2) A line level converter  wiil have some impact, but not noticable for
cassete sound (at least for my ears)
3) As much as you can pay for!

I got a Jensen amp with integrated line converter. As far as I remember it
went for $99. You can get it from Crutchfield. It has 2x50 watts. I installed
the unit at the rear wall of the trunc right next to the lock. I had to
partially dissasemble the dash to get access to the speakers outputs of the
factory stereo and routed the cables to the trunc through the door sils and
behind the driver seat. Obviously I had to run the amp outputs back to the doo
speakers through the same route. As far as blowing the factory speakers you
can abjust the sensitivity of the amp. So be conservative and you won't have
any problems. I was happy with the result, but the real blast came when I
hooked up a CD player and replaced the factory speakers with Infinitys.

Hope this helps

Platon '95M

--------------
I have a '96 with the base cassette deck.  I like it just fine, but
it isn't quite loud enough at highway speeds.

Rather than replace the entire head unit, I was going to add an
external amp.

I had a couple of questions, so maybe you all can help me out (the
rec.audio.car FAQ didn't):

1.  Does the factory head unit have line level outputs?
2.  How much impact will a line level converter have on sound
    quality? (Assuming the factory head unit does not have line level
    outputs)
3.  How much power do I need?  The factory head unit is almost loud
    enough.

I am looking at a Pioneer amplifier (don't remember the model number
though).  It is 18 watts x 2 channels (35 watts peak).  Is that
going to blow the factory speakers?  Pioneer amps don't suck do they?

I can buy this amplifier for $65 + $13 for the line level converter.
It seems like a very economical way to boost the power of my stereo a
little.

Can I connect the headphone jack from a portable CD player to the
inputs of the amplifier or will that cause problems?

While I have the dash disassembled to connect the amp, is it
possible to hook up mini-plug headphone jack to the factory head
unit's CD input lines?  That way I could hook up my portable CD
player to the head unit rather than the amp (I was concerned that
this might degrade the sound quality of the CD though).

Can anybody recommend a line level converter?

Should I just bite the bullet and buy a better head unit?  I hate to
do that.  The factory head unit is a good radio.  Will it fit into a
Ford Probe (they were made by Mazda, right?)?

--gray



Gray Jones                            11440 Commerce Park Drive
Software Engineer                     Reston, VA 22091
Visix Software                        (703) 758-8230 (voice)
gray@visix.com                        (703) 758-0233 (fax)

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