PAC Amp Pro - Nav TV Zen - Mobridge - All about Preamp Adapters + BONUS Amp Pro DM-RTA Scope Test!!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- What do the PAC Amp Pro, Nav TV Zen, Mobridge DA1 MOST25, iDatalink DSR1 and Metra AXDSP all have in common? Most of these products are designed to function as a digital Preamp adapter for your car audio system. These car audio preamp adapters are NOTHING like a line output converter. In fact, some of the BEST sound car audio systems we have ever done were with a factory stereo while utilizing a digital preamp adapter like the Nav TV Zen for example.
So why would you want to use a PAC Amp Pro, Nav TV Zen or Mobridge car audio preamp??? When you have a vehicle where you either cannot or do not want to change the radio, but you want to upgrade the sound system.
How do the PAC Amp Pro, NAV TV Zen and Mobridge DA1 work exactly? Generally speaking, if your vehicle is 2007 or later and equipped with a "Premium" stock audio system, chances are pretty good that the audio signal coming from the factory radio may be digital UNTIL it reaches the stock amplifier. At the stock car audio amplifier is where that clean signal gets processed and divvied up amongst the various speakers in the car.
The PAC Amp Pro, NAV TV Zen and Mobridge DA1 are designed to INTERCEPT that audio signal WHILE it's still digital - BEFORE it's been processed. In other words, while it's still clean, while it's still just data - one's and zero's. By catching the audio signal before the stock amp (Pre amplifier) you can then route that clean, unprocessed audio signal to your aftermarket amplifiers/DSP and speakers.
You can either use the digital to analog converter in the PAC Amp Pro, Nav TV Zen or Mobridge DA1 and go RCA out OR keep it digital with a Toslink adapter and go into a DSP or DSP/Amp combo. The whole point is to catch the audio signal at it's cleanest rather than catching it AFTER the amp where it's already been processed and then trying to clean it up with a DSP. The less signal processing the better!
So is the PAC Amp Pro really clean? What does the signal look like? John and Annie test the PAC Amp Pro with their Audio Control DM-RTA Oscilloscope to show you how clean the signal is with a factory radio in a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Watch and find out!
***HARDWARE USED***
PAC Audio AP4-CH41R2 - amzn.to/3Zj3EY9
Mobridge - mobridge.us/
NAV TV - navtv.com/
Metra AXDSP - axxessinterfac...
iDatalink/Rockford Fosgate DSR1 - rockfordfosgat...
Audio Control DM-RTA Pro Kit - amzn.to/3ES61t2
*** MY BLOG & MY SHOP ***
READ MY BLOG - carstereochick...
VISIT THE SHOP - soundsincredib...
FOLLOW INSTAGRAM - www.instagram....
CAR STEREO CHICK GEAR - car-stereo-chi...
PATREON - bit.ly/3gFl3px
PAYPAL DONATE - www.paypal.com...
Disclaimer - this video is for education and entertainment purposes only. Any expressed opinions contained in this video are solely of its author. Car Stereo Chick is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Links contained in the video description and/or on her website may earn her an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Annie Amen, John Amen, Car Stereo Chick, Sounds Incredible Mobile LLC, its members, partners, officers and employees assumes no liability for injury, damage to property or loss incurred as a result of information contained or inferred from this video. Use this information at your own risk. Viewers are advised to follow all applicable laws, equipment instructions and to operate all tools according to the manufacturers’ instructions with regard to the content, tools and equipment used in these videos. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user.
R. I. P Larry. Never knew you but I see he had quite an impact. 😢 Great video thanks. Just found your channel and subscribed!
❤️ Thank you for recognizing that. Larry had a huge impact on so many in our industry. He was truly a legend. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed so long ago. Thank you for the sub, I hope you enjoy the content 🙏
I've been using both the PAC AmpPro and their BCI video integration with 4 camera's ever since they offered the non-amplifier version in my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has operated flawlessly since day 1. Upgraded the head unit to a newer OEM headunit to get Android Auto and didn't even have to reprogram anything. I love it. Also added a firestick because I could, but then just got a smart AI box to do even more and because it allowed for wireless AA. I have an aftermarket DVD player now hooked up in place of the firestick. What these modules allow you to add or do is amazing and how they integrate seamlessly makes not being able to go aftermarket less painfull. Once you get used to having left and right blindspot cameras come on with your turn signals, you'll hate driving a vehicle without it. Not having to completely turn your head and take your eyes off the road is a life saver in heavy stop and go traffic. Radar sensors lighting up can't compare to actually seeing everything next to you and several lanes over.
Your curls are on point!
Thank you!!! But I must say I always try to record on lower humidity days ; )
@carstereochick
Excellent info! Unfortunately, 90% of car audio shops will not test the maximum clean, unclipped volume level on the OEM head unit when using a PAC AmpPRO or other similar OEM interface module before they set the DSP and/or amplifier's gains.
Nor do they check this level properly as you & John have done here with the Bass Knob at its MAX setting, which is crucial in order to avoid customers from sending their new upgraded speakers and subs a distorted, clipped signal and prematurely blowing a speaker or sub!
Keep up the great videos and reviews. 👍👍
Thank you so much! We truly appreciate your encouraging feedback :)
Just found your channel. Love it. Need to go back to all your videos. Awesome work. 👍
Welcome! More new content coming soon :) Thank you so much for your support!!!
The Zen V can also be used in ANY VWAG product with a MOST output. You don’t need the premium system either. If it has the most connection you can use a VCDS or OBDeleven to turn on the MOST output so you can use the Zen V. My GTI came with the base system without MOST so I swapped it for an MIB2 setup, turned on the MOST output connected the Zen V to the radio, and now I’m feeding optical to my Arc PS8 Pro.
@Paul Vina
Great to see you here, Paul, and thanks for the great tip about the Zen V with VWAG. What Year or Gen is your current GTi?
- "bbfoto" from DIYMA
Thank you for the details Paul! I did not know the applications were so broad with the Zen V. Normally I get pics of the radio, software/about page plus VIN and contact Tony at Nav TV to confirm compatibility. We recently had our 1st experience using the Zen V with the reprogrammer in a 2022 Audi S4 and it worked out so well. We kept it digital going into a Helix V Eight DSP and that car sounded so flipping good!!
@@bbfoto7248 Hey!! What's goin' on?? I have a Mk7.5 (2021) GTI S. I swapped that craptastic 6.5" base radio for an MIB2 unit so I could run the Zen V. As long as it runs a VWAG MOST system, the Zen V will work. Audi, Porsche, VW, Skoda, Seat, some Lamborghini, will all work.
@@carstereochick The programmer makes it SUPER simple. I use VCDS to do the programming but I use it for lots of other stuff on my VWs so that route makes more sense for me. I actually decided on the Zen when I was talking to Fred at Arc (we go WAY back) and he mentioned that Brian uses a Zen in the ELR. I swapped from RCA to optical into my PS8 Pro and my jaw dropped. Night and day difference. As you mentioned, the Zen V will work on anything VWAG makes that runs MOST. VW, Porsche, Audi, some Lamborghini, etc.
Great information, just stumbled across this as recommended and glad I checked it out. Thanks for the great content! You have a new sub! After 30 years you still can always learn something new! Thanks again.❤
Very interesting!
Pretty much any VAG GROUP Vehicle that falls in the age bracket where MOST 150 is possible can be turned on.
Is there a digital interface to connect toslink to the Audison Voce 5.1k amp and Bit One dsp for Harmon Kardon audio system for my 2023 M340i?
Awesome educated work!!!!! Question does it fit on 2019 Jetta sel beats premium radio system?
Thank you! It doesn't appear that anyone has a pre-amp for this car, but it might be possible with programming. I would reach out to Tony at NAV TV and ask him. He may need to see pics of the radio.
Have y’all ran into a problem while using the amp pro aph- ch41 (r2) while using the rca the volume is is weak till you get to volume 27 on the unconnect radio if so any advice to fix it ?
Hmm. No, we haven't. Do you have it set to 4 volt or 5 volt? What amp are you using? What year, make and model vehicle? Perhaps it's the way the gains are set on your amp or maybe it's just not a lot of power that you're working with.
It’s a 2021 jeep grand Cherokee x. 8 speaker Alpine system. Amp pro to JL audio vx1000/1i jumper are set to the in position for 5 volts. Maybe bad head unit ?
Are thereany solutions for a 2024 mazda cx5 Bose system with a mostbus? The most bus used is not fiber optic.
Unfortunately I actually haven't seen any pre-amp adapters for any Mazda models. I feel like companies will develop these as a solution largely for when a stock amplifier fails so they're usually thinking 5 years out when the warranty period is over. And then it's also largely based on a vehicle's popularity and how likely a consumer is to want to upgrade the stock system.
Would it be a benefit to install a PAC AP4-CH41 in my 22 Jeep 392 with a premium Alpine HU if I am also installing a JL DSP Vx 1000/5i Amp?
💯 yes!!! You want the cleanest signal possible going into your aftermarket amp. Definitely use the AP4-CH41. You can even keep it completely digital if you want using the APA-TOS1.
I have a 2023 Toyota Tacoma with JBL premium (as Toyota calls it) wanting to keep the HU and SOS. what would you recommend to put inline and not use the factory amp?
At this time I don't see any pre-amp adapters available for 2023 Tacoma with JBL. You may want to reach out to PAC Audio and see if they've tested it. We recently did a base model 2023 Tacoma and at the time nothing was listed for parts, but it turned out all of the install parts were the same as 2021/2022. However that was a base model, I don't know if they changed anything with JBL for 22/23.
Does the radio look like the same ones they were offering in 2021/2022? Or does it have the larger screen/redesign that I see shown for the new 2024 models? If it's the same looking radio as the 2021/2022 models, PAC Audio may tell you to pull out the radio and physically check the connections on the back of it. They have pictures on their website of what to look for. Look at the product page for their AP4-TY13 (R.2) and click on compatibility notes to see those pics.
@@carstereochick radio looks the same as the previous year.
I installed a Amp pro in my Ram 1500 non-amplified system added a 5 channel Kenwood amp system sounds really really good very clean. The problem I have is I’ll get in my vehicle and the screen will be black. The fuse checks good to the radio when I pull the fuse out and put the fuse back in the radio comes back on it’ll work for a couple days and then it will do it again. Any thoughts on what it could be?
These 8.4" Uconnect displays are quirky like this, I have seen that before. Usually a sleep cycle will do the trick, have you tried that? Sometimes a couple sleep cycles are necessary. Also have you checked if the radio itself has the latest Uconnect software?
Thank you for replying back so quickly. Just curious how do you do the sleep cycle. Can the update Uconnect be done by Wi-Fi or the dealership?
It depends on the year of your RAM 1500, I think the newer models can do over the air updates, but older models you have to download the update from a Uconnect website to thumb drive and connect to the USB. Did you install the Amp Pro module yourself? Usually you have to do at least 1 sleep cycle to get the radio to switch its output from analog to digital enabling the Amp Pro to work.
Sleep cycle is easy peasey. All you gotta do is close up the vehicle, lock it. Keep the keys away from the car (they say at least 25 ft). Let it sit for at least 30 minutes so all the computers can go to sleep. Then turn the ignition back on. Sometimes we have to let it sit longer than that. Sometimes we have to do more than one sleep cycle. I recall one vehicle, a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee where we actually had to let the car sit locked overnight in order to get the Amp Pro working properly.
I did the insulation. Everything worked perfectly sounded awesome. It still does but there’s times where the head unit does not power up last time I did it. I took a voltmeter to the fuse, and I have power on both sides. I removed the fuse and put it back in, and it comes on and the radio and everything works It might last couple days then I’ll shut the truck off while I’m pumping gas or something and get back in it and the radio is not working so now I just remove the fuse put it back in and it comes on.
Hmm, this I have not run into. And you made sure the PAC Amp pro has the latest firmware on it? If so, I would probably get it exchanged. What you're experiencing is not typical.
👍👀👍
As always, thank you my friend 🙏 I appreciate it!
Sory Premium audio system