Stereo without a stereo a head unit?

Kilrain · 07-26-2009, 02:25 PM

Here is the deal. I don't listen to CDs nor do I listen to MP3 CDs. Basically, I don't care about being able to play CDs(or any other type of optical media). I also don't listen to the radio...........ever. I don't care about having a radio, at all.

That being said, I want to be able to listen to my MP3 player(not Ipod, just generic MP3 player) through a sound system in my Jeep that is not yet put together. What I really want is a set of four(quadraphonic baby, yeah!) affordable(read cheap) speakers and a small amplifier that has a minijack plug on it that I can run directly to my MP3 player. Something like this:

Chinese Amp with minijack input

Now, I could buy this direct from China, but I was hoping a brand I've heard of before available from a reputable company may be out there.

I'm sure some would suggest buying a cheap head unit(Pioneer makes some nice ones under a $100) that fits the description. Problem is size. I want to tuck this thing away where it won't be seen and won't be in the way. A full DIN head unit designed for CD playing will be too big for that purpose.

Anyone have any suggestions? Any ideas at all are appreciated.

tatooweeny · 07-26-2009, 03:58 PM

I'm doing the same thing with my jeep! I would recommend using a ground loop isolator (Radio Shack has one for under $20.00), & it's great for keeping engine noise/cb noise out of your music. What's nice about the radio shack one is that it has the stereo & rca jacks built into it, eliminating wiring problems. Plug one end into the MP3 player, the other into the amp, & you're done.

Kilrain · 07-26-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tatooweeny

I'm doing the same thing with my jeep! I would recommend using a ground loop isolator (Radio Shack has one for under $20.00), & it's great for keeping engine noise/cb noise out of your music. What's nice about the radio shack one is that it has the stereo & rca jacks built into it, eliminating wiring problems. Plug one end into the MP3 player, the other into the amp, & you're done.

I think I see what you are doing here. What kind of amp are you using? Thanks in advance.........

cntp · 07-26-2009, 07:47 PM

An amp with a minijack plug on it really is no different than an amp with RCA plugs - you can get a $5 cable that's minijack on one end and RCA on the other.

You might want to look into a 2 channel amp that will work down to 2 ohms on each channel. Then, you wire up your front and back speakers for each side in parallel. You won't have fade (front to back) control, but you wouldn't really have it anyway.

One thing I will say - you need to be careful about how you set the gain on the amp, and the volume of the MP3 player. If you plug in your MP3 player at full volume, you're gonna get blasted.

And there is no need for a ground loop isolator if you don't have your MP3 player plugged into the car for charging. And even if you do, you may not even need an isolator.

Kilrain · 07-26-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cntp

An amp with a minijack plug on it really is no different than an amp with RCA plugs - you can get a $5 cable that's minijack on one end and RCA on the other.

You might want to look into a 2 channel amp that will work down to 2 ohms on each channel. Then, you wire up your front and back speakers for each side in parallel. You won't have fade (front to back) control, but you wouldn't really have it anyway.

One thing I will say - you need to be careful about how you set the gain on the amp, and the volume of the MP3 player. If you plug in your MP3 player at full volume, you're gonna get blasted.

And there is no need for a ground loop isolator if you don't have your MP3 player plugged into the car for charging. And even if you do, you may not even need an isolator.

Thank you for the input and information, it's appreciated, a stereo guy I ain't. Have any recommendations for a decent, moderately priced, compact amp that would work? Once again, any input is appreciated.

Remmy · 07-26-2009, 09:37 PM

You could use any amp you would like. Just go down to radio shack and pick up a y (female 3.5mm to male L/R RCA) plug it in and you good to go son!

cntp · 07-26-2009, 11:11 PM

Honestly, I'd try to find a used one for sale locally and buy that. Get it cheaper, and you won't be as worried if it gets messed up. Plus, you get to see it before you buy it (as compared to buying it off the interwebs).

monstermack · 07-27-2009, 07:21 AM

A long time ago I used to do just this with my old car. I did want to cut up the dash board so I had a small 50w 2 channel amp that I was using the high level inputs on...but left the RCA level open...when I would go to the basketball court I would plug in my Sony CD walkman(I said it was a long time ago) into those RCA's and it worked just fine.
So yeah, mini jack to RCA cable....
As for the amp you have two choices...like someone mentioned above get a 2 channel amp that is 2 ohm stable and wire each set of 2 speakers to 1 channel in parallel ....or get a 4 channel amp and 2 RCA splitters (1 female in to 2 male out) and wire each speaker to its own channel.
Cost should be about the same either way. Most like you can go down to your local Walmart and get everything you'll need for an install like this.

**paulmatyn** · 07-27-2009, 10:12 AM

Here is a link that JP magazine did about using an amp with no head unit. Hope this helps.

Kilrain · 07-27-2009, 10:57 AM

Thanks to all that have replied and supplied answers and information. It's gonna be a couple of weeks before I get this project rolling and done but I'll try to update this thread when I do. Thanks again.....

gily25 · 07-27-2009, 03:44 PM

If you decide you need more control over the sound, you can always add an equalizer in the dash. A lot of classic cars run this kind of set-up equalizer and mp3 in the glovebox, amp stashed somewhere along the dash.

mylt1 · 07-27-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

JL Audio Marin Series M4500 $369.99
Apple iPod Classic 120 Gb Silver $249.99
Polk Momo MMC5250 $179.99
Polk Momo MMC650 $99.99
StreetWires Power Station $89.99
StreetWires UCT14 (speaker wire) $30.00
Monster 1LJRY-1F (RCA Y-splitter) $10.00
Monster Mini-Jack to Dual RCA $14.99
DLO Action Jacket $29.99
DLO AutoPod (car charger) $19.99
OtterBox Armor Case for iPod Classic $49.95
Total $1,144.87

HOLY CRAP. almost $1200 just to install an iplop, amp and speakers? they have lost there freakin minds or are just stupid(or dont care) when it comes to money.

Alacran · 07-28-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulmatyn

Here is a link that JP magazine did about using an amp with no head unit. Hope this helps.

I read this and got the idea to adapt it to my YJ. The PO had already installed an amp so the only thing I needed was to buy the electrical connectors, about $20. In the article they connected the amp directly to the iPod. I thought that it would be cleaner to run the wiring from the amp to a female/female connector in the dash then hook up the player to that.

gily25 · 07-28-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylt1

HOLY CRAP. almost $1200 just to install an iplop, amp and speakers? they have lost there freakin minds or are just stupid(or dont care) when it comes to money.

Most of the expense of that list is the ipod and the JL audio marine piece...most people looking to do this would already have the ipod and I think most prefer to use a much cheaper amp.

If we were approaching it new tho...yeah I'd rather have a nice alpine and just make mp3 cds.

Kilrain · 07-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alacran

I read this and got the idea to adapt it to my YJ. The PO had already installed an amp so the only thing I needed was to buy the electrical connectors, about $20. In the article they connected the amp directly to the iPod. I thought that it would be cleaner to run the wiring from the amp to a female/female connector in the dash then hook up the player to that.

Very slick setup. I may rip off your idea there with the plug in the panel......