jayekub

I just found this thread about tapping into the head unit on the TSX and how to bypass the stock amp altogether:

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/correct-way-bypass-tsx-audio-amp-360946/

It seems to me that if the TSX head unit has balanced differential outputs, the TL probably would too. There are a bunch of threads where various people say the TL has single-ended outputs, but I'm not convinced.

The HU->AMP connector in the TSX has 14 pins, and four channels. The HU->AMP connector in the TL has 20 pins and 6 channels. Why would there be 6 extra pins for two extra channels if there weren't 3 pins per channel?

Could someone out there with a diagram of the pinout for the 06+ TL please post a scan? Or at least type it up and include the labels for *all* the pins? I've seen other pinouts, but not all 20 pins are labelled--I suspect those unlabeled pins are the shield pins needed for balanced diff.

If I can get this working, it sounds like I can hook this directly to my JL amps and get really good
noise rejection while also ditching the stock amp.

Thanks

csmeance

The problem with ditching the stock amp is that the signal is too low for an aftermarket amp to receive. You will need a line driver. I would suggest that you just take the HIGH output wires from after the stock amp and plug them into the HIGH INPUT on the JL amps as the JL amps can receive the High Voltage signals.

jayekub

Yea, using the high inputs is my backup plan. I'm still not convinced that the signal from the HU is too low, though. I mean, how different is the HU in the TSX from the TLs? Bypassing the stock amp clearly works in the TSX.

And how do we know what the level on the signal from the HU is? Do we have oem info, or just what some guy said? If it was measured with the assumption that its a single ended signal, it was probably measured incorrectly (not that I'd know how to correctly measure it, but a balanced signal has no ground, so I'd imagine its a little more complicated).

I appreciate the suggestion, but I don't think I'll be satisfied until I see the full pinout. If it has pins marked as shields, it's a balanced diff signal. And if its a balanced diff signal, then the JLs will take that just fine.

csmeance

The line driver has been needed, I think it was king of pain who did the amp bypass, but am probably wrong. The HU in the TL is much more advanced than the ones in the TSX's. The TL has the 5.1 DVD-A capabilities, it handles HFL, Navi, XM and a few other things while the TSX's only handles audio and XM. The 07+ tl's get even more complicated with the addition of mp3 and wma, dobly pro logic for simulated 5.1 and different firmware for the 4G nav.

csmeance

here are schemetics with pics for a 2004-2006 TL with navi and 2007-2008 TL with nav:

04-06 Aud.

04-06 Disp.

07 Aud.

07 Disp.


04 - 06 Audio Connec. schem.


04-06 Display Connec. schem.


07 Audio Connec. schem.



07 Display Connec. schem.

jayekub

I also remember reading someone's howto where they said they tried bypassing then had to go back. I figured that maybe they tried using coaxial RCAs (won't work well with balanced signal, you need twisted pair) and/or didn't connect the shield properly...

After seeing these schematics, though, I guess you're right--we don't have balanced outputs Oh well, it was worth a shot. I think I'll use the stock amp as my line driver until I decide to upgrade to something better.

Thanks a lot for the info csmeance!

csmeance

no problem, the pics are from psheu, a bit of searching yielded these. The best bet for a great system is the following:
Factory HU -> Factory AMP -> Sound Processor (optional) ( gives you great sound, 3sixty.2 is good along with cleansweep) -> Aftermarket AMPS -> Aftermarket Speakers I believe that the 3sixty retains the abiltiy of 5.1 audio, if you TL is older than 2007, it really doesn't matter as only dvd audio yields 5.1.

badteddy

after sifting thru all the audio threads, does everyone vouch for the 3sixty.2? the pricetag on that sound processor is unbelievable. i've already replaced four of my speakers with 3-way kenwoods. there was no difference. im hoping that getting a soundprocessor will at least make it sound "better" my camry i used to drive. the audio in the camry (ALL stock) sounds alot more powerful than my TL.

anyway, has anyone used the MTX re-Q5?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236REQ5...-Q5.html?tp=84

im not going all out on my audio right now. i just need it to sound decent enough for my standards. any advice is appreciated. (yes i brought back a deadthread)

rodneyc77

iTrader: (1)

Well.... I completely bypassed the factory amplifier... I went HU----> 3Sixty.2 ---->>> aftermarket Amps...

I basically got a male 20 pin and soldered some good quality RCA's to it and then plugged it to the female 20 pin heading to the factory amplifier... then plugged the RCAs to the 3sixty.2 low level RCA inputs... Works very good for me...