Head unit without amp connection to Bose (1998 C43)

[ledrocnoc]

I have a 1998 C43 and I am looking to upgrade the radio head unit.

I have been considering the Alpine CDA-7998 which does not come with an internal amplifier.

I've searched the forums and found some excellent information on how to connect a regular head-unit to the Bose amplifier (VW harness and signal attenuator), but no info on how to connect a HU without internal amplification.

I'd expect that it should be pretty straightforward, but if anyone knows of any gotchas... let me know.

Txs.

[J Irwan]

Since your aftermarket headunit doesn't have integrated amploifier it is the same way ....with OEM headunit..

All you need is the Audi/VW harness (I forgot the part number, but if you search you should be able to find it).

The regular aftermarket headunit (with integrated) is recommended to be connected through "hi-low converter" to feed the signal to OEM bose amplifier.

Bose amp only need to fed with audio signal, not necessary high wattage output from the headunit (hence the requirement for "hi-low" converter for headunit with built-in amp for best sound adjustment ;).


Hope this helps.

Regardz,

[davis449]

You shouldn't need a Hi Lo converter. I connected my internally amplified Blaupunkt head unit directly to the stock Bose with no problems and the sound is incredible. You shouldn't have any problems directly connecting it to the Bose because you have no amplification on the head unit. The way Nokia explained it is that 97 down models you probably need a Hi Lo converter, but 98 and up models don't. Do a search for the Nakamichi install thread and see how he does it with the 98 up models.

[J Irwan]

Originally posted by davis449
You shouldn't need a Hi Lo converter. I connected my internally amplified Blaupunkt head unit directly to the stock Bose with no problems and the sound is incredible. You shouldn't have any problems directly connecting it to the Bose because you have no amplification on the head unit. The way Nokia explained it is that 97 down models you probably need a Hi Lo converter, but 98 and up models don't. Do a search for the Nakamichi install thread and see how he does it with the 98 up models.



Please do a search...

as I mentioned before, one might need hi-low converter to get the best sound adjustment. Though not always necessary in some cases, many cases it is required to eliminate noise and prevent too much feed to BOSE amp to avoid damage in the long term.

To re-summarized:
Depending on what brand of aftermarket headunit with integrated amp you might need or might not "hi-low converter".


And not to confuse ledrocnoc questione in the first place.
I'll say it again.
That you do not need anything just connect your Alpine (aftermarket unit with no built-int amp) headunit with the stock BOSE amp. All you need is VW/Audi wiring harness to avoid cutting or splicing OEM radio wiring.


Regardz,

[davis449]

Sorry man, I didn't mean to offend you. I just wanted to share what I had learned about these situations. I used the Hi Lo converter on my 95 because my Sony deck was so high powered. But again, it sounded like crap so I scrapped it and went back to stock.

[J Irwan]

Originally posted by davis449
Sorry man, I didn't mean to offend you. I just wanted to share what I had learned about these situations. I used the Hi Lo converter on my 95 because my Sony deck was so high powered. But again, it sounded like crap so I scrapped it and went back to stock.


oh no.... none taken really..


Since there are a lot of information on this site and if your only read bit and pieces it could be misleading.

But yeah you experience could be attribute to bad "hi-low converter" unit. There are a few brand out there and a good brand will have a sensitivity adjustment (4 channel: FL, FR, RL, RR) to adjust the output from the headunit (input for BOSE amp) to get the best signal...


That's why I feel I need to explain it further. ;)

Either way its good to share the real-experience but keep in mind there is more to it than just one specific example :)


Regardz,