Hi,
I'm trying to figure out if I eliminate the factory amp, with I still have all of the luxury amenities like the cassette deck? Ok kidding on that, but will I retain the HFL, Navigation, Voice Control, etc? I have searched but have found conflicting information with no real definitive answer. Can someone who has pulled signals pre stock amp set me straight? Much appreciated.

 

From what I understand, the hfl, nav etc come out of the center channel. When people remove the factory amp they normally don't power the center channel anymore. That's what causes the issue. Pull the signals for the other speakers pre-amp and leave the center channel running off the factory amp and it should all be good. (not from personal experience)

 

Ok, thanks. I found two directly conflicting responses so I perplexed. I think I Hate Cars said the stock amp wasn't needed to retain all the HFL, etc. And I think Death to Toasters also junked the stock amp. Then I think in the FAQ, a mod said it was. I just want to have the extra space to work with the factory cabling to allow for any, uh mishaps.

Thank you again for the response. I appreciate it.

 

I would go with I hate cars advice, as it was recently that he found out.

 

The amp is not needed for anything. All of the sound, including the navi and HFL comes from the HU signal. You can remove the stock amp without impacting anything as long as you keep those channels through an aftermarket amp.

The HFL uses the front speakers and the Navi uses the center, IMO. There is a diagram around showing what speakers are used and muted for each.

 

Ugh, this is why I'm having trouble. Heh. I read that I would lose the navi voice/mute function. And I'm fine with that. And I don't care about the voice recognition thing since I usually end up swearing at it. BUUUUUUT as long as I can keep the cassette deck I'm fine with it! So goodbye factory amp, hello direct RCA connections.

 

^^^^ This is what you need to go with. The stock amp is just that, an amp

 

HFL functions normal as long as you use the front inputs to your aftermarket amp. If you're using an MS8 like I am, you the people on the other line get a nasty delay/echo which they're working on a software update. Muting is still in tact, everything functions normally.

For navi to work, it can be an issue and believe it or not it's easier with the MS8. I pulled signal from only the fronts originally. It worked great on music and HFL. Then about a month after eliminating the factory amp I took a road trip. My music kept cutting in and out so I pulled over and tried to fix it. After checking every single connection I was stumped until I realized it was the navi muting everything but the center channel which wasn't hooked up.

To make it simple, your music will mute unless you turn the voice level to 0. If you have voice off you will have no problems. Since the MS8 allows up to 8 channels input, I hooked the center into it so I have a fully factory functional system... once I get rid of the echo which is an MS8 specific problem.

 

this

Although, I thought navi was from fronts too. Could be wrong there though. Easiest thing would be to connect preouts to a small amplified speaker and see what comes from which channels.

 

I should read the WHOLE thread before responding.

 

The navi cuts the front speakers and uses the center. It keeps the sub and rears going. HFL kills everything and uses the fronts.