new pioneer z150 install issue, my luck

[IneedAZ]

I am at the install shop this morning to get my radio installed and now I find out I cannot use my phoenixgold amp. That amp only works with the factory head unit. So now had to lay out another $625 for a 5ch Hertz amp and cables,plus labor. I will be selling my 6 ch Phoenix amp. Hope this post helps anyone with a Phoenix hoping to swap the radio.

[Camaroshark]

Never heard of such a thing. On what planet is an amp one head unit specific?... And a factory head unit at that. Makes no sense to me.

Companies that manufacture amplifiers, usually will make them so they fit a very wide variety of applications using very standard connections. What model Phoenix amplifier do you have?

Not knowing the shop, I'd be wary they aren't trying to pad the bill to sell you more stuff.

[jeffa]

Find another shop.

There is no way the Phoenix Gold amp won't work with your Pioneer head unit.

Most likely there are LOC's involved in interfacing the Phoenix amp to the factory head unit. Remove the LOC's and you are good to go with the Pioneer unit.

[IneedAZ]

Its the amp that comes part of the camaro subwoofer pkg.
http://www.phoenixgold.com/products/...p?productID=41

[Camaroshark]

Doesn't matter what it came with. It uses standard connections of power, signal input and output. If its dismounted from its kit you have there, it's an amp, just like any other. Simply because its part of a kit doesn't make it head unit specific.

You can have discussions with them about amount of power, capabilities of driving the system, overload, but it CAN be used.

Even as part of the kit... You should still be able to use it. It could / should likely take a switch of the input leads or Loc like mentioned above, but it would be usable.

Could also be that it's not something they sell, so they don't want to "install" it.

[CyberPunk223]

It's simple,

how does the factory HU send it's signals to the Phoenix amp?? does it use low RCA type signals or "High" speaker level Signals?

Can the Phoenix Amp Accept RCA signals from the Pioneer HU?

I don't know how these BA cars work, you have to know how everything is wired to figure this out.


Is it possible that the Pioneer HU will send too much Power to the Phoenix amp and blow it out?

[IneedAZ]

I was told the issue is the amp is looking for data bus from a factory unit. Here are pics showing the connections:

[IneedAZ]

3 pics after the install:

[IneedAZ]

Forgot to add, sounds much better, especially when I listen to songs on the HDradio stations

[IneedAZ]

[CyberPunk223]

yep, that amp didn't accept RCA inputs so they would have atleast needed to run a lot of wires to make it work,, and it still may not have worked depending on what kind of signal that amp accepted.

yeah, the HD radio tuners are great, wish they would be standard in more cars. I had an HD tuner in my old car but we only got 2 hd stations in my town, thank god for xm.

[IneedAZ]

Been to Hagerstown a few times. I used to live in Laurel.

[Double D Mods]

yea the PG system will only work with a factory radio