2012 Sony Amp Confusion
 

Hi Gang,

I am hoping that somebody here can help me out. I have been researching for weeks and am seriously confused.

I have a 2012 Lariat SCrew w/Sony and No Nav. I want to keep the stock head unit, upgrade door speakers and add an amp & sub.

My problem is that the factory HU (via the OEM Sony amp) rolls off at higher volumes to "protect" the *****ty speakers. I want a system that achieves balance at any volume (and doesn't cost a fortune).

I cannot figure out how to work around the OEM amp (without hacking, slashing and splicing) and, for simplicity, retain factory speaker wires. To make matters worse, I have stinking molex connections. :-arrgh

Can anyone tell me what the connections on the OEM amp (pictured) are?

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL223.../403818200.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL223.../403818202.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL223.../403818201.jpg

Asking installers in my area has lead nowhere. They are willing to "do" it for me but refuse to give "free" advice. :-X16

HELP?

You can't, the factory amp has a floating ground. You have to buy a new breakout plug or go get one that fits from a junk yard. What ever you do, do not cut the factory wiring harness to the head unit, its part of the computer system and the system monitors the head unit and steering system controls threw it.

You either save up and buy a complete system and install around it or read up on how the rewire around the factory amp and install a new one. Which requires the speakers to be rewired to ground at the head unit and not the chassis.

Thanks a lot for the reply!

I have continued my research and may be finally catching on. :-roll

How does this look:

Factory HU ~~~ Aftermarket Harness ~~~ Factory Harness ~~~ Factory Amp ~~~ Audiocontrol LCQ-1 ~~~ Aftermarket Amp.

Factory Rears remain powered by factory amp.

Aftermarket fronts, tweeters and subwoofer powered by aftermarket amp.

I believe that this will bring the sound stage forward, provide a summed signal and off-set the roll-off.

Am I on the right track here?

Any suggestions on an appropriate aftermarket harness? I have been told that the PAC AOEM-FRD24 is not compatible with the Sony amplified systems.

If that is all you want that will work. You seem to understand the relationship the Head Unit has with the car's computer system and why you can't butcher the wiring.

I don't know if your HU has any built-in cross over settings. Just be sure to set the new amp to fit the speakers profile and you should be good.

I did this a few years back, I cleaned it up since then. I made sure it all worked correct, before I mounted all the subsystems down for good.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resi...7D2F8E30A7!241

Thanks muffinman.

I am re-thinking my approach.

As my HU sends signal through an ACM then on to my factory amp, I am thinking that tacking a JL MS-8 on to the factory amp may be my best option.

More than I wanted to spend but I really want to improve on the current sound quality.

Why not hack the aftermarket harness and dip right into the lcq-1?

I don't understand the need to have the factory amp in the equation. But, if it is needed, just plug everything in like you have, but tap into the aftermarket harness for speakers only, leaving the factory amp plugged in, just not used.

For my setup (I don't have the Sony unit FWIW), I tapped into my Lockpick harness (I have the factory nav) and ran all new wiring from there to the amp and new wire from the amp to the doors (nightmare!). There's some pics floating in this forum (audio) on what I did with the molex connections.