If your in-car CD player does not have pre-amplifier (or 'pre-amp')
level outputs, you will need to either buy an amplifier that offers
"speaker level" inputs or buy a separate 'speaker level
to low level' interface cable. If upgrading a factory-fitted CD player, you may need a specific
interface cable. Your specialist MMSA car audio dealer will of course
be able to help you. This stuff can all sound very complicated but
for them it's no trouble.
When shopping for a power amplifier, it is easy to be misled by
some manufacturers' claims. While there are standards for measuring
things like power output in Watts, it is not difficult for manufacturers
to quote wildly optimistic power figures without actually lying
- they simply don't tell you the exact conditions of the measurement.
And we reckon that a few do just make it up!
Also, you cannot rely on the physical size of the amplifier to
be an indication of its power output capability. Some have more
space than components inside the case!
Some are far more efficient than others - that means they are better
at turning the 12V coming in at one end into audible power at the
other, so they don't need such a large metal finned plate (called
the heat-sink) to get rid of the power that the other models waste
warming up the air.
The car audio amplifier's efficiency will also dictate the size
(the correct term here is "gauge") and therefore cost
of the power cables your fitter will need to use, and the drain
on your vehicle's battery.
Wiring a power amplifier is not something to be taken lightly.
You should never simply wire it into the car's existing power cabling.
For one thing it will almost certainly cause the electrical current
down the wire to exceed the cable's safe operating specification.
You also stand a very good chance of picking up interference through
the shared power cable or grounding point.
Trust your MMSA dealer to tell you what you can expect to get from
a particular product, whatever it says on the box, and if you decide
to fit the amplifier yourself, they will be able to advise you on
the correct cable gauge to use and other precautions. This advice
can be priceless but is usually given for free!
A
car audio amplifier - or "power amplifier" to give it its full name - takes the very low level
audio signals from your Cassette, CD or MP3 player and brings them up to a level you can
comfortably hear. Every car audio system has at least one amplifier,
though you may not be aware of it. 