Upgrade Your Daily Driver, Keep the Head Unit
Many new vehicles have a big fancy touch screen that controls everything. Replacing that computer and interface isn’t always worth the time and money. Because it’s so integrated, removing an infotainment interface can cause other problems with steering wheel audio controls and other functions. OEM integration in this situation can be a dicey situation. A line out convertor reduces the high-level output from your head unit to a friendly input level for your amp. Amplifiers aren’t smart. Whatever voltage comes into the circuitry is amplified in the same manner – even if it’s too high. High-level input voltage is amplified, and the output stage is driven to clipping. The Q-LOC5 is a signal step down with adjustable output. The Q-LOC5 is a line output converter car audio beginners can use for adding a sub to a factory system. When tapping into a speaker wire, you can use an inline output converter for amp signals that are dialed to the correct level. Some head units have preamp outputs, but most do not. If your head unit has RCA outputs, you probably don’t need a line out convertor.
How To Install Your Powered Line Out Converter
Integrating car audio gear with new vehicles can be complicated. For basic upgrades to your car stereo line out converter installation is an easy way to tap into your speaker signal. Installing a LOC will add a few minutes to your install. If your head unit does not have low-level RCA outputs, it will be time well spent. Run power wire from your battery/fusebox to your LOC on the same side of the car as your power wire. If you’ve taken your headunit out of your dash, run a remote wire from here along the same side of the car to the remote in on your LOC. If you’re installing the LOC in your trunk or backseat and running speaker wire back to the front of the cabin for your door and dash speakers, run them along the opposite side of the cabin. Failure to do so can increase interference and a hum to your signal path.