i want to replace my oem head unit (cdr220 non bose) with an alpine 9886 head unit. (appt. tomorrow morn)

local shop sayin probably need to "bypass" instead of utilize the oem amp in my 02' c2 making the install way more involved (and expensive) than what i expected.

reason given was gain outputs probably won't match and the sound will be crap...?

can anyone offer advice? i want integrated satellite, but not real interested in having my car hacked up. not to mention decrease in wattage output utilizing the amp inside the head unit.

what happened to buying a wiring adapter to avoid cutting up the oem wiring and enjoying sound after a 20 min install?

 

If they are going to bypass your factory amp and you are still using factory speakers, there will be nothing filtering out the freq. for the speakers (in other words no crossovers). That will be bad for the speakers as sending low freq. to the tweeters may blow them out.

They should be able to use the wire harness from a VW and just make it plug and play. Too bad you are not local, I would be glad to help you out.

 

disregard, found another shop who knows what they are talking about. appt. cancelled!!!!!!! used to be the best shop in town... guess they have gone downhill.

 

As mentioned before, with 02 cars you should be able to utilize your existing amp. I just used the speaker level outputs into my bose amp--works fine and sounds better than the stock Bose.
Good luck.

 

So the answer was what?... Can you run the new unit outputs into the factory amp?

Rudy

 

Yes. Kenwood kdc-x792 single din installed. They spliced into the wiring behind the deck using rca to wire adapter. Sounds fantastic! Ipod jack hidden in glovebox. Sirius integrated with antenna under alarm sensor cap. I prefer the oem look, but that is a small price to pay considering all the music options you get! Car audio innovations in roseville has my recommendation. They run an ad in the back of excellence. They were installing in a an 02' 996 when I went there and the owner drives an 02' 996 with an audio system that cost what I paid for my ride. Needless to say, I had no reservations throwing them the keys!