Front amplifier

[Grazi07]

I'm looking into a new headunit, and am curious about the front amp that I've heard is behind the glove box. Will this need to be bypassed/removed? Would it make a noticable difference to keep the factory CD player and just upgrade that amp (well, until I can spend more on a good head)?

[Jaimster]

If you get an aftermarket radio, you HAVE to bypass the factory amp. It would be dumb to even try to upgrade the factory amp to work with the stock radio, plus you really can't. Don't remove the factory amp unless you really have to...plus it's not that big anyways, just bypass it!

So, get a good head unit with some good power and if that's not enough then add a sub and an amp for that sub, and if you still want more upgrade the stock speakers and add an amp to those speakers as well.

[Gunman]

Well you can use the factory amp, you would just need a different wiring harness that incorporates rca leads. For best performance, if you bypass it you get more power and cleaner. If your dead set on keeping your fac headunit, there are a few ways in which you can accomplish this. Again the best way is a new deck with clean preouts and a nice high current clean amp. This is if you can afford it of course. Expect to spend about a grand for good stuff.

[Grazi07]

yeah, I was just hoping it'd be cheaper..... my 'rents are less than thrilled about me modding too much, so I was looking for a discrete way of doing it. I found a pretty sweet alpine deck I'm gonna start w/... gives me a better/healthier/legal-er(maybe?sure, why not!) thing to save for at college other than beer!