[Bk_numberone]

Morning everyone

I realise there are a multitude of posts relating to the audio system in Saab 9-5's and I have scoured as many as I can find, but can't find anything that quite answers my queries.

I have a 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero with Prestige sound system. Single CD player, no autochanger, Harmon Kardon amplifier and 9 speaker setup. All factory standard.

I went into Uplands in Bristol and the guy seemed to be quite helpful but said I may disable my car if I just removed the head-unit.

Now I understand that in order for the stereo to work in other vehicles it needs to be divorced from its original car and married to the new car. But I haven't come across reading about immobilising my vehicle! Could this be true?

I don't wish to divorce my head-unit as I won't be selling it and will keep it to return to normal when eventually selling the car.

Secondly, how many speakers does the amplifier in the passenger footwell power? If I were to replace the head-unit, which speakers out of the 9 will now work from the new headunit, and which would be dormant and would need powering with another amp?

Thanks in advance


Bk_numberone

 

[mark e]

No, removing the head unit will not disable your car in any way.

The amp feeds all the speakers. It takes the 4 channel input from the head unit and divides it up.

If you fit another head unit the most practical way of doing it is to use balancing transformers to feed the existing amp.

Lots more info on the 9-5 audio system here

 

[Bk_numberone]

Great, thanks Mark E.

That's very useful to know all the speakers are connected to the separate amp and none are powered directly from the head-unit.

Also it's good to know if I replace the headunit I will not immobilise my car!

I did actually find that audio page you linked to, but thanks anyway.

... that leads me to ask... why is a balancing transformer needed? Is it not simply a case of finding the right ISO adaptor cable?

Thanks


update... oh hang on I think I've found the bit about it being a balanced signal, not a single ended signal. It's all a bit greek to me
tho, I 'll do some more research.

 

[richkt]

I think Uplands are getting slightly confused here! As already stated removal won't disable your car at all. I used to live in Weston and always found Uplands to be really good, perhaps you were talking to a new member of staff....

Most knowledgable person on car audio I have ever met is Ed at Sextons in Southampton - He is definitely worth a phone call.

 

[gwebster]

The audio feed between the head unit and the amplifier uses balanced feeds i.e. two active lines with +ve and -ve signals (signal on each line is exactly opposite polarity to the other one so tends to cancel any interference / noise picked up).

Most head units tend to have simple signal + ground type of feed so won't drive the existing amplifer properly. To get round this, a balancing transformer would be needed for each channel (one for Left/front, one for left/rear, etc.) connected in between the head unit and the amplifier. Something like this would be good as you would only need two to cover both front and rear feeds.

Alternatively, have a look around for a head unit with an option of either unbalanced or balanced line outs (I seem to remember another post recently where their new head unit did this automatically).