adding amp to base ra2 head unit 6 speaker system

[buddy guy]

door speakers are the upgraded to pioneer 6x9s, dash still stock and i'm ok with that. I am thinking about adding an amp. will the ra2 head unit work with an add on amp and if so, where is the easiest way to put it, recommendation for an amp that would be plug and play with the base system. i just want to throw a bit more wattage at it with the upgraded speakers i have.

thanks in advance.

 

[canadiankodiak700]

your cheapest way to do this is by using a line output converter (LOC) such as an LP7-4. your factory radio needs to "see" a load (resistance) on the speaker wires, or else it will shut down the channel to protect it. So you will need to add a 33 ohm 5 watt or 10 watt resistor to each positive wire between the oem and the LOC.
if you select an amp with speaker level inputs, you can skip the LOC but will still need the resistors

 

[buddy guy]

ok. thanks. i did look a bit yesterday and saw a kit minus the amp with the harness and lp7-4 i believe on crutchfield for like 249 US..then by the time i buy an amp its starting to look like there's no cheap way to do this. I was thinking about it as i listened to some fresh tunes this morning and thought what i have still sounds way better stock and probably good enough. i'm not spending 600 plus the work for basically an amp. i thought if i could get away with things for 200 canadian i' d go for it.

 

[adurm]

Maybe an alpine power pack is your answer. Or some other brand that installs behind your head unit.
https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/ktp-445u

 

[buddy guy]

Maybe an alpine power pack is your answer. Or some other brand that installs behind your head unit.
https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/ktp-445u

i like that idea. i'll check it out further. thanks!

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Or possibly the PAC AmpPro ? ...

Edit: only works with trucks that came with factory Alpine/ premium amplified systems. PAC AP4-CH41

 

[buddy guy]

yeah, i checked out that kit, thx. starting to get up in dollars to go that route but maybe i have to if i'm going to bother. its been a long time since i played with car stereos and didn't have to worry about load sensing and ***** back then.

 

[adurm]

Probably these
https://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/accessories/ac-lgd/

But please research as I've never used or needed them.

 

[TomT]

Or possibly the PAC AmpPro ? ... PAC AP4-CH41


M² Mods.

PAC unit only works with the factory amplified systems (Alpine, etc.).

 

[magician]

That Alpine amp looks good and the install is simple and for less than $200, hard to go wrong there. That whole line resistors for the speaker puts still blows me away, never heard of a head unit that was that smart or the need for it to be? Glad my 15 doesn’t have that...

 

[buddy guy]

thanks for the thoughts. yeah, freaked me out when i switched my door speakers and lost sound on each speaker without a complete restart of the system. wasn't like that in the old days. hook up wire, hear sound! LOL

 

[GSchwizzy]

Hey Guys.

Thinking of installing one of these KTP-445U units in my '16 Big Horn. Would this have any effect on the bass level in the vehicle? Or is it basically a 'boost' for the other speakers (doors and dash), etc.???

Thanks much.

 

[88ROOK]

thanks for the thoughts. yeah, freaked me out when i switched my door speakers and lost sound on each speaker without a complete restart of the system. wasn't like that in the old days. hook up wire, hear sound! LOL

you're saying all you did was change the speakers and got no sound???? that dont seem right. I changed mine and had no problem. But to your other question i went with the fosgate DSR1 to add amps and you need no resistors as the load is built into the unit. unit is bluetooth so all adjustments you do with your phone

 

[buddy guy]

if the head unit doesn't sense a load on one of the channels, it won't send or stops sending power to that channel is how i understand it basically. i repeated the exercise on 3 of the 4 speakers. in other words, I couldn't just have my system powered up and playing tunes, connect a speaker while the system is live and have it start working like on my home system and any stereo system i've used previously. the sound would only resume in the new speaker when i turned off the key, left it for a little bit (seconds i think, not minutes. i didn't time it) enough time for the head unit to put out the message it gives when its starting up (can't remember what the message is but if you don't shut down the system long enough, you don't get it) and then it would start working. And has worked ever since. Now that I know how it works, it's not a big deal. But it was a bit of a panic until I figured it out. I thought i had a f$cked new speaker. lol

 

[buddy guy]

you're saying all you did was change the speakers and got no sound???? that dont seem right. I changed mine and had no problem. But to your other question i went with the fosgate DSR1 to add amps and you need no resistors as the load is built into the unit. unit is bluetooth so all adjustments you do with your phone

thx for info on Fosgate. As I expected, a simple solution starts to become an expensive solution. its lovely, no doubt, but would add about 500 canadian to doing this plus an amp. i'm not going to spend that kind of coin to simply add a bit more wattage.

 

[jackal98]

Here are some load resisters from PAC that are $5 each (33 ohm & 5 watts)
https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalog/specialty-items/lr335

Here are some load resisters from PAC that are $5 each (47 ohm & 5 watts)
https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalog/specialty-items/lr475

 

[jackal98]

Net audio also sells a harness that can be used.

https://www.netaudiowf.com/store/pr...cab/4-amplifier-integration-2013-up-crew-cab/

 

[buddy guy]

both awesome solutions. I especially like the load resistors. chances are i would get an installer to put in an amp and if he doesn't have in his toolkit i know and electronics supplier i deal with that can help me out i bet. i like the idea of a harness like the one on net audio. nice to avoid cutting wires but damn they seem pricey at 200 u.s. i plan to keep the truck for 7 to 8 years so not so concerned about cutting wires. but might avoid the need for an installer that way. thinking...thinking...lol.

have to say since putting the pioneer door speakers in, i'm actually surprised any time i hear a song that i haven't heard for years and how good they sound. i really am curious about the stock head unit power output for ***** and giggles. i know speculation is these are 4 or 5 watt per channel units. that seems logical based on historic car stereos but i wonder as even with a good sensitivity of 90db plus with the pioneers, i can get good clean sound thats louder than i can stand from the stock system with the pioneers. i figure it has to be putting out at least 10-15 watts continuous per channel. amps with low harmonic distortion have been around for a lot of years so while i'm sure they have improved somewhat, i don't think that accounts for how well the head unit actually performs with speaker upgrades. i contacted Continential who manufactures these particular head units but they referred me to FCA as they "make radios for many different manufacturers to different specifications".

 

[jackal98]

That Alpine amp looks good and the install is simple and for less than $200, hard to go wrong there. That whole line resistors for the speaker puts still blows me away, never heard of a head unit that was that smart or the need for it to be? Glad my 15 doesn’t have that...

May I ask which factory screen you are using for your system?
I have a 2015 with the 8.4 screen and was told about the load requirement.

Do you mind explaining your setup from the factory head unit to the amp(s) to your speakers/subs?

 

[canadiankodiak700]

there is a $50 harness from PAC, I have one on the way, I'll post details in the morning when I get home from work.