Radio Going bad or Amp?
01-19-15, 11:07 AM
#16
update:
Took the car to a best buy to get a quote on replacing the radio and amp, tech told me that he could install a new radio for 800$!?? Which I think is freaking outragious. I know how to do it myself lol, for that price I could get a rear view camera and a really really expensive radio... so no. But he did tell me that threshold a nakamichi amp used on ebay for 150. So I'll pick that up today, will be ordering my radio through best buy through price match though. 500$ radio for 250! Thank you amazon prime!
01-20-15, 01:48 AM
#17
Took the car to a best buy to get a quote on replacing the radio and amp, tech told me that he could install a new radio for 800$!?? Which I think is freaking outragious. I know how to do it myself lol, for that price I could get a rear view camera and a really really expensive radio... so no. But he did tell me that threshold a nakamichi amp used on ebay for 150. So I'll pick that up today, will be ordering my radio through best buy through price match though. 500$ radio for 250! Thank you amazon prime!
01-20-15, 05:48 AM
#18
How much hell do we need to go through to get a new headunit lol... I really really want to get a new headunit, and was just about to purchase a new (used) nak amp from ebay, but now im kinda confused... Would i need to get a new amp (seperate from the nak amp to power the sub? I'd need to run new wires from the deck to another amp that will power the sub?
The dude at the best buy near me quoted me 800$ to install a new deck for me with a amp bypass plus th cost of the actual deck. Would the audio qualilty be that much better with a seperate amp powering the sub?Is it complicated/possible to add a wire from the factory sub to a aftermarket amp then from that amp to the new deck? I really like the sound quality in my car, but if i can get it even better, and do it myself than that sounds good to me! 
Sorry for all the questions, i only have replaced a deck once before and it was super simple on my dad's 2012 chev express along with a rear view camera.
01-22-15, 04:18 AM
#19
I was thinking about doing it until i saw this forum post just a few moments ago... https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...mp-bypass.html
How much hell do we need to go through to get a new headunit lol... I really really want to get a new headunit, and was just about to purchase a new (used) nak amp from ebay, but now im kinda confused... Would i need to get a new amp (seperate from the nak amp to power the sub? I'd need to run new wires from the deck to another amp that will power the sub? The dude at the best buy near me quoted me 800$ to install a new deck for me with a amp bypass plus th cost of the actual deck. Would the audio qualilty be that much better with a seperate amp powering the sub?Is it complicated/possible to add a wire from the factory sub to a aftermarket amp then from that amp to the new deck? I really like the sound quality in my car, but if i can get it even better, and do it myself than that sounds good to me! Sorry for all the questions, i only have replaced a deck once before and it was super simple on my dad's 2012 chev express along with a rear view camera.
How much hell do we need to go through to get a new headunit lol... I really really want to get a new headunit, and was just about to purchase a new (used) nak amp from ebay, but now im kinda confused... Would i need to get a new amp (seperate from the nak amp to power the sub? I'd need to run new wires from the deck to another amp that will power the sub?
The dude at the best buy near me quoted me 800$ to install a new deck for me with a amp bypass plus th cost of the actual deck. Would the audio qualilty be that much better with a seperate amp powering the sub?Is it complicated/possible to add a wire from the factory sub to a aftermarket amp then from that amp to the new deck? I really like the sound quality in my car, but if i can get it even better, and do it myself than that sounds good to me! Sorry for all the questions, i only have replaced a deck once before and it was super simple on my dad's 2012 chev express along with a rear view camera.It's easy man -
- Install deck
- Run RCA, remote and power to trunk
- Use original speaker wires to connect to new amp.
You're done.
01-22-15, 01:27 PM
#20
Well if you read that thread it's all laid out for you. The only difference is your Nak system is a little better than the Pioneer system so If I were you I'd go for a 5CH amp and power everything.
It's easy man -
- Install deck
- Run RCA, remote and power to trunk
- Use original speaker wires to connect to new amp.
You're done.
It's easy man -
- Install deck
- Run RCA, remote and power to trunk
- Use original speaker wires to connect to new amp.
You're done.
01-23-15, 03:08 AM
#21
So, you recommend I grab a 5 channel amp, and power everthing through that? Main thing that sounds like a head ache is running rca, remote and power from the deck to the back. Ive already ordered a used nak amp through ebay for like 150$ . Thinking since it's so simple I'll go grab amother amp, seperate from the nak amp to power the speaker through a new deck. Cause all the specialist at the stores I've gone through are quoting me 800$ and up to do the work, plus the cost of the parts. Which I'd much rather do myself cause it would save me a load of money.
If I took my time I cold not possibly make it take over an hour.
The GS is a very easy car to run wires in.
If a used Nak amp will solve your problem then go for it.
if you want a better system, forget the Nak amp and get a deck and 5 ch amp.
At that point you can either use the stock speakers or maybe later decide to upgrade those too.
01-24-15, 10:54 PM
#22
Its not so much that I wold want to improve the sound quality i really like the current quality of sound in the car. I just want to fix my sound going off randomly and randomly popping going off. The screen on my deck is also unreadable, so I wanted to swap the deck. But I dont want to downgrade from having all working speakers and sub to just speakers working. That sub kicks pretty hard, least for me, so if I get a new deck, I'm also gonna habe to pick up a amp to power the sub alone since I hAve the nak amp now, thing I'm worried about is getting an amp not combaitlable with the nak sub, in which would cause me to get a sub and have to go through installing that. This all sounds really pricey.
01-25-15, 05:39 PM
#23
Its not so much that I wold want to improve the sound quality i really like the current quality of sound in the car. I just want to fix my sound going off randomly and randomly popping going off. The screen on my deck is also unreadable, so I wanted to swap the deck. But I dont want to downgrade from having all working speakers and sub to just speakers working. That sub kicks pretty hard, least for me, so if I get a new deck, I'm also gonna habe to pick up a amp to power the sub alone since I hAve the nak amp now, thing I'm worried about is getting an amp not combaitlable with the nak sub, in which would cause me to get a sub and have to go through installing that. This all sounds really pricey.
Even new you could still buy stuff in that price range.
It can be really simple.
Get a deck and 5ch amp.
Wire the deck up and wire the amp to the current wires that exist where the NAK amp is.
You will need to run RCA, power and remote wires - that is it. The wires are super easy to run in the GS.
Otherwise you are stuck with buying used stock stuff over and over again because they are known to frail in various ways.
Regarding the compatibility of the stock sub and aftermarket amp - as long as you set the gain so it is not going to blow your sub, everything will be just fine.
i ran my Alpine PDX 1.600 to my stock sub and it sounded great - I could even play it louder than stock without issues - BUT THEN I decided to see how much it could handle and CRANKED the gain up.
I found it's limits quickly.
As far as the door speakers, you won't have too much issue either - the same rules basically apply.
you will have better sound no matter what because the stock deck and map are not that great - yes the NAK stuff in comparison to the Pioneer stock stuff is not horrible - but not great.
It should take a novice no more than 1 to 1.5 hours to run the RCA, power and remote wires - I know I can do it in well under an hour.
ALSO - if you were to buy a small 5 ch amp, you could conceivably run it off the power wires that run the NAK amp - but for all the trouble just run a 4ga or at least 8ga.
01-27-15, 06:01 PM
#24
It doesn't have to be pricey. I bet if you bought decent used stuff you could do the whole deal for under $200-300
Even new you could still buy stuff in that price range.
It can be really simple.
Get a deck and 5ch amp.
Wire the deck up and wire the amp to the current wires that exist where the NAK amp is.
You will need to run RCA, power and remote wires - that is it. The wires are super easy to run in the GS.
Otherwise you are stuck with buying used stock stuff over and over again because they are known to frail in various ways.
Regarding the compatibility of the stock sub and aftermarket amp - as long as you set the gain so it is not going to blow your sub, everything will be just fine.
i ran my Alpine PDX 1.600 to my stock sub and it sounded great - I could even play it louder than stock without issues - BUT THEN I decided to see how much it could handle and CRANKED the gain up.
I found it's limits quickly.
As far as the door speakers, you won't have too much issue either - the same rules basically apply.
you will have better sound no matter what because the stock deck and map are not that great - yes the NAK stuff in comparison to the Pioneer stock stuff is not horrible - but not great.
It should take a novice no more than 1 to 1.5 hours to run the RCA, power and remote wires - I know I can do it in well under an hour.
ALSO - if you were to buy a small 5 ch amp, you could conceivably run it off the power wires that run the NAK amp - but for all the trouble just run a 4ga or at least 8ga.
Even new you could still buy stuff in that price range.
It can be really simple.
Get a deck and 5ch amp.
Wire the deck up and wire the amp to the current wires that exist where the NAK amp is.
You will need to run RCA, power and remote wires - that is it. The wires are super easy to run in the GS.
Otherwise you are stuck with buying used stock stuff over and over again because they are known to frail in various ways.
Regarding the compatibility of the stock sub and aftermarket amp - as long as you set the gain so it is not going to blow your sub, everything will be just fine.
i ran my Alpine PDX 1.600 to my stock sub and it sounded great - I could even play it louder than stock without issues - BUT THEN I decided to see how much it could handle and CRANKED the gain up.
I found it's limits quickly.
As far as the door speakers, you won't have too much issue either - the same rules basically apply.
you will have better sound no matter what because the stock deck and map are not that great - yes the NAK stuff in comparison to the Pioneer stock stuff is not horrible - but not great.
It should take a novice no more than 1 to 1.5 hours to run the RCA, power and remote wires - I know I can do it in well under an hour.
ALSO - if you were to buy a small 5 ch amp, you could conceivably run it off the power wires that run the NAK amp - but for all the trouble just run a 4ga or at least 8ga.
MB Quart OA1100.5 1100-Watt 5-Channel Onyx Series Car Audio Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BQU13CC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_KleYub0R06SFV
DB LINK CL17Z Double-Shielded Competition Series RCA Adapter (17 ft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OM468Q/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_2jeYub07T1ZC9
Pioneer GM-D8601 Class D Mono Amplifier with Wired Bass Boost Remote https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFX58YI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ukeYub0XZ0KYJ
50 Foot Section of Stinger 18 Gauge Black Primary Remote Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARXB23E/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_MheYub1RNPF8Z
01-29-15, 05:51 AM
#25
update #2
Went to a near by friend of my uncle's who is a mechanic, he told me that if I replace my amp and deck, might as well swap the speakers out too, because audio quality would either be quieter, or would damage the longevity of the speakers themselves. So I'm just gonna buy a new/used deck replacement of the same caliber that I have now. So if anyone has got a nak deck in good condition, let me know. Otherwise I'll grab a new/used one from him. Thanks for all the help, really realized how much simpler the project could have been if I had the money for it right now.
02-27-15, 09:55 AM
#26
Alright, well the amp and thr headunit I bought used just went bad... after 2 weeks of use. So a quick question before I try and get this stuff refunded to me. Would it be a good idea to run a new deck and 5 channel amp on the Nak speakers, sub and tweeters? Chance of blowing them up? It's a pretty big investment so I wanna know as much as I can about it so I don't mess stuff up and end up paying more for less or something.
thanks in advance if anyone can share some of their knowledge.
thanks in advance if anyone can share some of their knowledge.
03-13-15, 05:45 PM
#29
Audio People! Welcome!
Lol, yea I'm trying to upgrade it now. Just wanted some experienced audio people to give me their 0.02 cents on what I'm planning to do. I've installed a deck before but this was for my dad's Chevrolet 2012 Express Cargo Van. With his 2 factory speakers powered by the aftermarket headunit. Being that I'm planning on getting a new amp to power it all, and that I'm swapping a deck, speakers, amp, a sub and maybe the tweeters too. Wanted to know if my current idea is a good one lol. I'd either be going with a full kicker speaker and sub combo or a Polk and kicker combo, powered by a 5 channel amp as suggested by a previous lexus member. Powered by an mb quarts amp. I just wanna know if this would be a good combo.
Here's a link to everything I'm thinking of gettting
https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/HMQWMQOK7DAQ/ref=cm_sw_r_an_wl_o_Zf4avb0026TYF
Let me know if I'm forgetting anything, in concern of wiring too, like if there's a good kit that is sold that contains all the nessesary wires, or if I'm in need of some other harnesses or anything like that.
Here's a link to everything I'm thinking of gettting
https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/HMQWMQOK7DAQ/ref=cm_sw_r_an_wl_o_Zf4avb0026TYF
Let me know if I'm forgetting anything, in concern of wiring too, like if there's a good kit that is sold that contains all the nessesary wires, or if I'm in need of some other harnesses or anything like that.
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