OK, I really need some help on this one. Most of my forays into car stereo installation have consisted of replacing one crap factory head unit and speakers with much better aftermarket products - but I've never had to do anything involving an amp before.
Basically, I've got a 2000 Limited with the factory Infinity system. I don't know if there are multiple specs for this setup, but it's the 6-speaker item with AM/FM/CD/cassette head unit with the 3-band equaliser and amp under the back seat. My plan is to replace the head unit with an Alpine CDA-9851 and KCA-420I iPod controller.
Both calling Crutchfield and Google were no real help, so here's what I'd like to know before I go ahead and blow a wad of cash on all this:
- Specs on the factory amp. Will it work with the pre-outs (I think this is how I need to connect it) on the head unit I've selected? What's its output wattage?
- Specs on the factory speakers. I'm relatively happy with the fronts, but the rears are really weedy in comparison. Before I replace all six, I'd like to see how the Alpine sounds on it - if they're OK, I'll keep them.
- Are there any caveats with the setup I've outlined that I should be aware of?
Note that I'm not looking to go hog-wild on installing a competition-grade system, just that I'd like to reuse as much of the existing system as possible if it makes sense to do so. Any help anyone can give in this area would really be appreciated since I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff.
Basically, I've got a 2000 Limited with the factory Infinity system. I don't know if there are multiple specs for this setup, but it's the 6-speaker item with AM/FM/CD/cassette head unit with the 3-band equaliser and amp under the back seat. My plan is to replace the head unit with an Alpine CDA-9851 and KCA-420I iPod controller.
Both calling Crutchfield and Google were no real help, so here's what I'd like to know before I go ahead and blow a wad of cash on all this:
- Specs on the factory amp. Will it work with the pre-outs (I think this is how I need to connect it) on the head unit I've selected? What's its output wattage?
- Specs on the factory speakers. I'm relatively happy with the fronts, but the rears are really weedy in comparison. Before I replace all six, I'd like to see how the Alpine sounds on it - if they're OK, I'll keep them.
- Are there any caveats with the setup I've outlined that I should be aware of?
Note that I'm not looking to go hog-wild on installing a competition-grade system, just that I'd like to reuse as much of the existing system as possible if it makes sense to do so. Any help anyone can give in this area would really be appreciated since I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff.
