Adding an Aftermarket Amp(s)

[Hpc3]

The post was a great read. I am super confused though and got maybe a silly question...

So I'm getting conflicting reports where some say the DSR1 completely removes the need of factory AMP where others say it connects the DSR1 to the factory amp and bypasses it? Which of this is true? If I wanted to use the DSR1 to push an amp for front stage only, and leave the factory amp powering the rears + factory alpine sub, is this an option with the DSR1? Or if I wanted to use the DSR1 for the sub replacement only, but leave the factory speakers in place, would the alpine amp still power those?

I'm basically trying to understand what options do I have and flexibility with the DSR1...

Long term thinking of switching out the front/rears but possibly leaving in the factory sub. Or maybe replacing just the front stage at first and take baby steps along the way. Looking to explore my options...

Appreciate you all pointing me in the right direction!


EDIT:
Here's why I'm confused... If I follow this link it shows factory amp stays in tack:
https://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rft...ignal_processors/1230-61763-01-c_dsr1-irs.pdf

But this post says factory amp goes bye bye:
https://www.diymobileaudio.com/threads/rockford-dsr1-can-use-with-factory-amp.427806/

EDIT2:
Oh and another question, if per my above question is true where I can use the DSR1 with factory amp on certain speakers, would this allow us to fix the annoying factory amp kill switch that lowers the sub output on SOT being completely open?

The DSR1/Maestro is a dedicated interface to replace the stock Alpine amp in the Jeep. You will no longer have wiring or access to the stock amp with this setup IE don't go this route unless you plan on adding another amp(s) to drive your speakers. All other radio/signals/parking/mics work the same. It will eliminate any of the factory noise tune stuff (SOT, Sub) as it removes the factory amp.

If you are looking to keep the factory amp but add another amp for the sub or maybe change up the dash or sounder speakers with additional amps look at the PAC Audio interface for the Jeeps (I have a new one here for cheap if interested) which will allow you to keep the stock amp for some speakers but also configure RCA outputs to go to an additional amp(s) for add-on Subs, speakers, etc. The PAC units just have basic audio controls, don't have a built-in DSP like the DSR1.

PAC Audio Interface

There are probably other break-out options as well... depends on what you're trying to do.

Sponsored

 

[JCae2798]

Thank you, extremely helpful. The reason I was avoiding the PAC was due to the factory wiring hardness where I would need to find a way to pull this new dash apart with the big 2024 screen. I liked the idea of using the factory amp hardness that's easier to get to and replace back to stock down the road.

I wasn't really looking to replace the factory sub. I got my old amp and L7 kicker but wanted to keep the stock sub/truck space as-is. Also the with the battery of the 4xe, space is limited to mount all these extra amps. With me pulling the front doors off during the summers I also wanted to avoid adding amps under the front seats for both wet and theft reasons...

Will keep doing research and report back.

 

[unknownsolo]

Quick question, when using Pac audio AP4 adapter, I only see four inputs (FL, FR, RL, RR), then out to an after-market amp, does that mean all the channels out are full range now?

Example: Front-left has two speakers, dash speaker, and knee speaker. Pac AP4 sees it as one input, is it automatically summing all the inputs and providing full range out in all channels?

 

[Hpc3]

Quick question, when using Pac audio AP4 adapter, I only see four inputs (FL, FR, RL, RR), then out to an after-market amp, does that mean all the channels out are full range now?

Example: Front-left has two speakers, dash speaker, and knee speaker. Pac AP4 sees it as one input, is it automatically summing all the inputs and providing full range out in all channels?

The PAC gets the 4ch feeds from the stock head unit, pre amplification stage. These are all full range signals at that level. The factory amp may split these into individual drivers/speakers with their own dedicated channel/frequencies post head unit. The PAC feeds are all full range.

 

[unknownsolo]

The PAC gets the 4ch feeds from the stock head unit, pre amplification stage. These are all full range signals at that level. The factory amp may split these into individual drivers/speakers with their own dedicated channel/frequencies post head unit. The PAC feeds are all full range.

Got it. So technically speaking, if I bypass the factory amp and use an external one, I should be getting full range in all channels, correct?

I've read something about Jeep adding in-line cross-overs in the Premium Alpine audio versions. Do they mean in the factory amp, or is that crossovers in the wiring?

 

[Hpc3]

Yes if you do it at the amp level. The Jeep/Alpine

Got it. So technically speaking, if I bypass the factory amp and use an external one, I should be getting full range in all channels, correct?

I've read something about Jeep adding in-line cross-overs in the Premium Alpine audio versions. Do they mean in the factory amp, or is that crossovers in the wiring?

Yes if you intercept the signal pre-Alpine amp stage. Both the PAC and DSR1/Maestro will do this with plug-n-play interfaces.

 

[JCae2798]

The DSR1/Maestro is a dedicated interface to replace the stock Alpine amp in the Jeep. You will no longer have wiring or access to the stock amp with this setup IE don't go this route unless you plan on adding another amp(s) to drive your speakers. All other radio/signals/parking/mics work the same. It will eliminate any of the factory noise tune stuff (SOT, Sub) as it removes the factory amp.

If you are looking to keep the factory amp but add another amp for the sub or maybe change up the dash or sounder speakers with additional amps look at the PAC Audio interface for the Jeeps (I have a new one here for cheap if interested) which will allow you to keep the stock amp for some speakers but also configure RCA outputs to go to an additional amp(s) for add-on Subs, speakers, etc. The PAC units just have basic audio controls, don't have a built-in DSP like the DSR1.

PAC Audio Interface

There are probably other break-out options as well... depends on what you're trying to do.

So I pulled the trigger to give it a try. When I called PAC they weren't sure if it would work. See my following post for more details...

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/pulling-apart-a-2024-dash.117332/post-2451074

Could I possibly be doing something wrong? These 2024's are a real PITA to get to the radio and even the space behind it to work with was tight. Had a really hard time getting the radio back in with the additional harness connected... Whole process would be 1000% easier if PAC could just connect directly to the amp's harness/location...

 

[Hpc3]

So I pulled the trigger to give it a try. When I called PAC they weren't sure if it would work. See my following post for more details...

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/pulling-apart-a-2024-dash.117332/post-2451074

Could I possibly be doing something wrong? These 2024's are a real PITA to get to the radio and even the space behind it to work with was tight. Had a really hard time getting the radio back in with the additional harness connected... Whole process would be 1000% easier if PAC could just connect directly to the amp's harness/location...

With the radio format change I'd assume it may take the vendors a while to catch up with something that will work with it. On the flip side if the '24 still has the same Alpine amp/format the Maestro and other interfaces that plug into the amp side would likely still be compatible. No experience here to say for sure.

 

[JCae2798]

So I think I'm over complicating my setup... I have the Vxi amp which allows for both low/high level inputs directly from speakers. I'm thinking of tapping into the white harness going into the Alpine amp before the amp output harness. If I'm reading the wiring right there should be a connector with these inputs coming from the radio. Based on the original thread I can either add a load resistor OR I just came across the Kicker KEYLOC which simples the process even though I should be able to clean up the signal with the VXI amp. Any thoughts on this approach?

My goal is to:
1. Add an external sub
2. replace the front stage with Focal PS165 FE's.

EDIT:
My dumbass forgot about the full signal* issue....So crossing out above as it won't be a solution...

 

[Terpsmandan]

With the radio format change I'd assume it may take the vendors a while to catch up with something that will work with it. On the flip side if the '24 still has the same Alpine amp/format the Maestro and other interfaces that plug into the amp side would likely still be compatible. No experience here to say for sure.

We have a '24 here but it's down at the recon shop. I will get a pic of the amp when it gets back.

 

[JCae2798]

We have a '24 here but it's down at the recon shop. I will get a pic of the amp when it gets back.

So here's the latest on where I'm at after further research...

- After taking the radio apart and trying out the existing PAC UC5 harness (APH-CH42) for other vehicles, it didn't work. The other challenge I ran across is that these vehicles have very little space behind the radio for the extra harness connections and a way to feed wiring behind there. I wish i snapped more pics but I didn't think of it at the time. What I can tell you is i had a hard time getting the brain of the system screwed back in with the additional harness connections. I also noticed once i had it in, the length of the cable also didn't allow much feed to get the PAC Amp access under the steering column. It was very limiting... After all this trial and error confirmed current harness didn't work anyways.
- Next I called PAC to confirm while they will do their best to release 2024 support with Premium upgrade, it could be up to one year before we see any new released products to support this new model. For now non-alpine upgraded users can use a LOC found on their site.
- I ordered a PAC APH-CH03 speaker harness to further test if this will work to extract speaker leads that i can add into a LOC for summing. I need to sum multiple channels into a LOC or amp directly to get a full signal. Currently thinking about the LC7i Pro or directly into my VXI amp to feed the channels directly. My only issue is i wanted to add a sub and i only have a 4-cxhannel at the moment. Trying to see if it makes sense to upgrade to a 6 channel and sell the 4.
- Lastly i did end up picking up a Kicker KEYLOC to see if i can get a full range signal but decided to wait till i get the PAC Harness to make the testing easier. I don't expect to find a full range signal but figured i'd give it a shot anyways and see what ranges exists on what lines with the built in RTA the KEYLOC offers...

Will probably have some more updates after the weekend. Open to any other suggestions or ideas on my journey

 

[JCae2798]

Here's a silly question also...for those that went the DSR1 route, if I wanted to keep the existing factory rears and sub in place, what's the easiest method to get these powered back up? I'd hate to buy a new amp just to give these things back the power they need. Ideally it would be awesome if we can add the alpine factory amp back into the mix and only feed the rest of the speakers as intended...

I say this because my goal is to only replace the front stage + adding a 2nd sub that will from time to time be removed from the vehicle for travel and other situations...so keeping the stock sub would be a nice way to still get a little kick for those situations...

 

[Terpsmandan]

Here's a silly question also...for those that went the DSR1 route, if I wanted to keep the existing factory rears and sub in place, what's the easiest method to get these powered back up? I'd hate to buy a new amp just to give these things back the power they need. Ideally it would be awesome if we can add the alpine factory amp back into the mix and only feed the rest of the speakers as intended...

I say this because my goal is to only replace the front stage + adding a 2nd sub that will from time to time be removed from the vehicle for travel and other situations...so keeping the stock sub would be a nice way to still get a little kick for those situations...

Yeah, to use the CH4 plug with the DSR you disconnect the amp so you will have to get another amp for the soundbar and the sub. I went the full Quart Stage 6 install with the drop in sub. What were you considering for the front end? In her '21 with the factory Alpine, I replaced the dash speakers with an extra set of Quart JC-108's and I was very happy with the sound. Also if you are using your phone for music, make sure that all of the quality settings are turned up.

 

[JCae2798]

Yeah, to use the CH4 plug with the DSR you disconnect the amp so you will have to get another amp for the soundbar and the sub. I went the full Quart Stage 6 install with the drop in sub. What were you considering for the front end? In her '21 with the factory Alpine, I replaced the dash speakers with an extra set of Quart JC-108's and I was very happy with the sound. Also if you are using your phone for music, make sure that all of the quality settings are turned up.

For the fronts considering the Focal flax's, 165 FE's. For the sub I have an existing Kicker L7 from my previous setup.

 

[Terpsmandan]

And you want to amp the Focal's?

Sponsored