Going from PCM 3.0+Bose head unit to analog
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Hi,
I can shed some light here: I have Sound Package Plus and PCM 3.0 and am looking for better audio too.
What I know is on pre-facelift cars (PCM 2.1) the PCM was different whether you had base audio/SPP (speaker level out) or BOSE (optical out). With facelift cars (PCM 3.0) the PCM has two variants also (single CD or 6CD changer) but both support analogue line out and optical out via MOST BUS. Given that Mobridge's DA-1 currently doesn't work with PCM 3.0 (I mailed them a few months ago and they said it'll be ready by the end of this year but no joy as yet) your best option is to have the PCM 3.0 unit recoded for Sound Package Plus (get your dealer to do this), then solder a high quality RCA to the analogue outputs of your PCM and connect this into a processor like the Audison Bit One or Helix C-DSP or Arc Audio PS8 or Mosconi 6to8 or Alpine PXA-H800 or whatever else floats your boat. From here, set up the EQ/time alignment to each output channel, send the outputs into an amp of your choice (I'm using a JL Audio HD amp) and then off to your speakers.
If you don't fancy going the analogue route, then hold on for Mobridge to begin supporting the PCM 3.0 then you'll be able to take a TOSLINK cable from the DA-1 straight into your chosen processor - from there on it's the same as above.
N.B. PCM 2.1 was speaker level out. PCM 3.0 is line level out (I found this out the hard way).
I can shed some light here: I have Sound Package Plus and PCM 3.0 and am looking for better audio too.
What I know is on pre-facelift cars (PCM 2.1) the PCM was different whether you had base audio/SPP (speaker level out) or BOSE (optical out). With facelift cars (PCM 3.0) the PCM has two variants also (single CD or 6CD changer) but both support analogue line out and optical out via MOST BUS. Given that Mobridge's DA-1 currently doesn't work with PCM 3.0 (I mailed them a few months ago and they said it'll be ready by the end of this year but no joy as yet) your best option is to have the PCM 3.0 unit recoded for Sound Package Plus (get your dealer to do this), then solder a high quality RCA to the analogue outputs of your PCM and connect this into a processor like the Audison Bit One or Helix C-DSP or Arc Audio PS8 or Mosconi 6to8 or Alpine PXA-H800 or whatever else floats your boat. From here, set up the EQ/time alignment to each output channel, send the outputs into an amp of your choice (I'm using a JL Audio HD amp) and then off to your speakers.
If you don't fancy going the analogue route, then hold on for Mobridge to begin supporting the PCM 3.0 then you'll be able to take a TOSLINK cable from the DA-1 straight into your chosen processor - from there on it's the same as above.
N.B. PCM 2.1 was speaker level out. PCM 3.0 is line level out (I found this out the hard way).
I have a 997.2 with PCM3 with sound package plus (analog amp with 9 speakers).
I pulled the PCM3 and I noticed that it has 8 speaker output pins in quadlock but no pre-amp outs in form of cinch/rca. In addition, there is a sticker on the unit which states that you cannot directly connect speakers to the head unit's speaker outs (quadlock plug b) which leads me to believe that PCM3 has no built-in amp at all.
So what you actually have on the PCM3 are speaker outs but with low level signals!!!!!
I believe that the best solution is to modify a quadlock adapter so that you have 4 cinch plugs (instead of iso speaker plug) in order to connect the aftermarket head unit's front and rear pre-amp outs directly to the factory amplifier. That way the amp will get proper signals and you wont get the over-amplification problem that I got when I connected the usual speaker outs from the aftermarket head unit to the factory amp inputs.
Hope this makes sense.
Regards,
CF
Last edited by cool flash; Nov 27, 2013 at 02:28 PM.
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Hi DB,
I don't have a photo with pinouts however you can get a connector - I use a SOT harness which basically gives you a M-F harness you can insert between the car's loom and the PCM. You can then cut and solder this so there is zero touch on the factory loom. The style of connector is QuadraLock - a system developed by Fakra and used by many German manufacturers. If you get a VW or Audi compatible QuadraLock SOT harness, you'll be good to go.
C.
I don't have a photo with pinouts however you can get a connector - I use a SOT harness which basically gives you a M-F harness you can insert between the car's loom and the PCM. You can then cut and solder this so there is zero touch on the factory loom. The style of connector is QuadraLock - a system developed by Fakra and used by many German manufacturers. If you get a VW or Audi compatible QuadraLock SOT harness, you'll be good to go.
C.
Could you post a link to the proper SOT harness. I can find online various SOT Quadralock harnesses but none are straight through. They are all adapted for something or the other (link a speakerphone, etc.). I could even make the harness with a pair of the connectors - prewired would be better.
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CRXVTEX:
Could you post a link to the proper SOT harness. I can find online various SOT Quadralock harnesses but none are straight through. They are all adapted for something or the other (link a speakerphone, etc.). I could even make the harness with a pair of the connectors - prewired would be better.
Could you post a link to the proper SOT harness. I can find online various SOT Quadralock harnesses but none are straight through. They are all adapted for something or the other (link a speakerphone, etc.). I could even make the harness with a pair of the connectors - prewired would be better.
Hi DB,
Try Autoleads
http://productfinder.autoleads.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?&m=PORSCHE&f=BOXSTER&id=1081&pID= 40767 which is on Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q">
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q" /> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q" /> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoleads-SOT-976-Accessory-Interface-Volkswagen/dp/B002LYK11Q
and also check out Audison Connection 57-1324 which also looks like it’ll work, if that’s easier for you to source.
All the SOT leads are straight through, they simply have a tap onto the front pair to add the speakerphone output, however you'll be cutting these to solder the RCAs on so no issue.
Cheers,
C.
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CRXVTEC:
Thanks!
On the harnesses you linked to, there is an extra male/female connector interposed between about half the conductors from the Quadralock connectors. I assume if you plug this pair together, it forms a straight through harness. Assuming this additional connector pair is some other form of standard I will not be using.
Can you confirm/explain?
db
Thanks!
On the harnesses you linked to, there is an extra male/female connector interposed between about half the conductors from the Quadralock connectors. I assume if you plug this pair together, it forms a straight through harness. Assuming this additional connector pair is some other form of standard I will not be using.
Can you confirm/explain?
db
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CRXVTEC:
Thanks!
On the harnesses you linked to, there is an extra male/female connector interposed between about half the conductors from the Quadralock connectors. I assume if you plug this pair together, it forms a straight through harness. Assuming this additional connector pair is some other form of standard I will not be using.
Can you confirm/explain?
db
Thanks!
On the harnesses you linked to, there is an extra male/female connector interposed between about half the conductors from the Quadralock connectors. I assume if you plug this pair together, it forms a straight through harness. Assuming this additional connector pair is some other form of standard I will not be using.
Can you confirm/explain?
db
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CRXVTEC:
In my existing PCM 3.0+Bose config, with the existing connector attached, is there any conductor visible of the outputs so I can put a scope on it and see if they are active, and if so, at what level?
In other words, perhaps I don't have to buy the harness to test the existing BOSE configuration for active outputs.
db
In my existing PCM 3.0+Bose config, with the existing connector attached, is there any conductor visible of the outputs so I can put a scope on it and see if they are active, and if so, at what level?
In other words, perhaps I don't have to buy the harness to test the existing BOSE configuration for active outputs.
db
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CRXVTEC:
In my existing PCM 3.0+Bose config, with the existing connector attached, is there any conductor visible of the outputs so I can put a scope on it and see if they are active, and if so, at what level?
In other words, perhaps I don't have to buy the harness to test the existing BOSE configuration for active outputs.
db
In my existing PCM 3.0+Bose config, with the existing connector attached, is there any conductor visible of the outputs so I can put a scope on it and see if they are active, and if so, at what level?
In other words, perhaps I don't have to buy the harness to test the existing BOSE configuration for active outputs.
db
Not to my knowledge - though the harness is probably <$30 and you'll need it anyway
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Heard back from MoBridge customer service after several weeks delay - they are giving a Feb date for their PCM 3.0 MOBRIDGE (MOST to Toslink interface), so analog may be irrelevant if I decide to spend the $$ on the all digital route (thinking MOBRIDGE to BIT10D to digital input Amp).
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Heard back from MoBridge customer service after several weeks delay - they are giving a Feb date for their PCM 3.0 MOBRIDGE (MOST to Toslink interface), so analog may be irrelevant if I decide to spend the $$ on the all digital route (thinking MOBRIDGE to BIT10D to digital input Amp).
Thanks for finding out. I'll be ordering as soon as it's available.
However having the analogue route is useful in case the Mobridge product is delayed or if it fails once in operation so suggest you go down the analogue route for now anyway.
I mention failure as the DRC on my BitOne has failed in <1 week. Without the DRC it's not possible to switch inputs.
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Following up on your post about getting an analog output from the PCM 3.0 unit. I also want to keep my PCM 3 and replace the Bose amp.
Did you ever do this? Would appreciate details on the harness, parts, getting the PCM recoded, etc.
Did you ever do this? Would appreciate details on the harness, parts, getting the PCM recoded, etc.
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Thanks Serg. Yes I saw your post on the conversion. Excellent information.
I was wondering
- Is there was an adapter I could buy rather than making a custom one like you did.
- Can you or anyone verify if we need to get the PCM 3.0 recoded to Sound Package Plus to get the 8 channel outputs active for the quadlock connector?
- Has anyone worked with a US Porsche dealer to recode their PCM (if needed?)
Would really like to pull the Bose amp and put in a nice high power amp (Hertz HDP4?) and some decent speakers. Have been looking at Jenhert speakers for the front. Not sure I need rear speakers. For a sub, I have a Targa and the passenger footwell sub is a real pain to replace. Will probably leave it in place and maybe go with Jenhert soundboard in the rear.
Appreciate anyone's thoughts.
I was wondering
- Is there was an adapter I could buy rather than making a custom one like you did.
- Can you or anyone verify if we need to get the PCM 3.0 recoded to Sound Package Plus to get the 8 channel outputs active for the quadlock connector?
- Has anyone worked with a US Porsche dealer to recode their PCM (if needed?)
Would really like to pull the Bose amp and put in a nice high power amp (Hertz HDP4?) and some decent speakers. Have been looking at Jenhert speakers for the front. Not sure I need rear speakers. For a sub, I have a Targa and the passenger footwell sub is a real pain to replace. Will probably leave it in place and maybe go with Jenhert soundboard in the rear.
Appreciate anyone's thoughts.
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Hey all,
This weekend I'm having a conversion done to the audio system:
1. PCM 3.0 to be re-coded for BOSE instead of Analog
2. Removal of the existing DSP processor (Audison Bit One)
3. Installation of Mobridge DA3.
The key advantage here will be to the signal path. The PCM 3.0 outputs on MOST bus as a digital signal. The Mobridge DA3 takes the signal and processes it in the digital domain (time alignment, parametric equalisation, crossover, channel mapping) and then outputs analog to the amplifier. This means that digital sources (CD, DAB, USB) stay digital until just before the amplifier, versus currently being converted to analog in the PCM 3.0, then to digital in the processor only to be turned back into analog as it leaves the processor.
This is all possible because Mobridge now supports PCM 3.0 (finally!)
This weekend I'm having a conversion done to the audio system:
1. PCM 3.0 to be re-coded for BOSE instead of Analog
2. Removal of the existing DSP processor (Audison Bit One)
3. Installation of Mobridge DA3.
The key advantage here will be to the signal path. The PCM 3.0 outputs on MOST bus as a digital signal. The Mobridge DA3 takes the signal and processes it in the digital domain (time alignment, parametric equalisation, crossover, channel mapping) and then outputs analog to the amplifier. This means that digital sources (CD, DAB, USB) stay digital until just before the amplifier, versus currently being converted to analog in the PCM 3.0, then to digital in the processor only to be turned back into analog as it leaves the processor.
This is all possible because Mobridge now supports PCM 3.0 (finally!)
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I've been talking to Mobridge in Australia over the past 2 years - they now have the right firmware on their website for DA1, DA2 and DA3 to work with PCM 3.0/3.1.
My installation is this weekend so will let you know more once it is completed.
My installation is this weekend so will let you know more once it is completed.
