If you want to use the TSX factory HU with an aftermarket amp you will need an amp with differential inputs. The Alpines do not have this feature so will not work with the TSX HU without an interface converter. I’m working a new converter (BALUN) but won’t have it ready for primetime for a while. I’m looking to get a prototype installed in my car this weekend if the rest of my parts order comes in. You could also use the EQ that Saltyone used to perform the conversion or you could use any of the following amps that don’t require any conversion.

Any current JL Audio
Rockford F/G punch and Power series amps
Kicker ZX Multi-channel amps currently listed on their web site.

I have a harness that allows a direct connection to the factory HU balanced lineouts when you are ready.

Check out the Audio FAQ section for TSX upgrade options and install instructions.

jeff

 

From where you purchase the kit for install and the wire harness ?

 

i'm glad to see someone finally using some quality amplifers. seems everyone on this forum likes the jl audio series, which are ok, but are inferior to the pdx series from alpine. well done.

 

I completely disagree.

 

haha you're free too. i've been an alpine dealer since 1988 and a jl dealer since 1996, and at least 50% of the jl amps i've sold have all had to be sent back for warranty repair. alpine in all this time prob. under 5! these are my experiences with both products. yours may differ.

 

nice jiggaman!

 

Do you tell your customers that if they are considering an Alpine or JL amp?

 

I have mine stacked on my back seat. If you want a pic send me a PM and ill snap one.

 

would you happen to have a link to where you bought the OEM mp3 attachment to replace the center compartment?

 

Very nice install... looks clean and I like the fact that the box and sub leaves room to access your spare...

 

You should go active w/ your speakers and you'll hear how much nicer
they would sound! That's what I did w/ my cdt speakers. I used the active
crossover on my DRZ 9255 and I tell you they sound a whole lot better than
the passives. You also gain a whole lot control over your system. I know
your HU has that capability. I also love those tiny pdx amps!

 

The Clarion (or Addzest) 9255 is GOD. There is no better deck in the wurl.

 

I tell you, if like you a very good sq sound system, can't go
wrong w/ the DRZ 9255. Sound that's so nice and clean that
you can hear all the instruments clearly and a very nice soundstage
at that, and absolutely no noise whatsoever!

 

Where do I get one of those mounting kits for the HU?

 

For a single din mounting kit you can get one on ebay, Amazon or at most local car audio shops. The Metra part number is 99-7868.

If you want the double din kit.... you'll need to get one from your local Acurazine Vendor. He's a cool guy. I don't remember his name.

 

hey, just noticed that you're from salinas. i'm from there also, but now i'm in socal.

 

i think james might be talking about the tsx mp3 attachment kit.

 

i couldn't be happier with the performance, looks and size of these amps.

 

i'm not sure how they did it. call Car Tunes in Watertown, MA to ask.

 

thanks man!

 

yeah going active is my future project. i am still very pleased with the SQ of the current passive setup. so i don't have much motivation to mess with it yet.

the only thing that is holding my system back still is some minor buzzing i get out of my doors from certain sound frequencies.

my doors are loaded up with sound deadener and foam and i am still suffering from this. car doors are definitely not the best speaker enclosures.

 

I guess it pays to take your un-stupid pills before you start typing.

 

So, may I ask what the cost was of the entire job... equip. & labor?

 

you know what i do infact. less work for me in the future as well. i love the jl audio line of speakers however.

there is a reason jl audio new line of hd amps coming out (suposedly) 2nd. quarter mimmick the alpine pdx line that's been out now for quite some time!

 

You are 33 years old and you have been a dealer since 1988 and 50% of the JL amps come back broken. That would make you 13 when you opened for business so I don’t know how good your math is or if we can believe the 50% failure rates.

Here are some facts,
Any company with a 50% warranty repair rate on a product will discontinue the product or go out of business.

Alpine PDX amps are class D and JLs are A/B. Two completely different technologies and two completely different sound qualities, you can’t compare the two, you either like class D or you don’t. One is not better then the other unless you want to look at the high-end home audio market where class D has been completely rejected as a legitimate high-end amp. Class D works well in car audio and sub woofers because of output stage efficiency and that is it. The efficiency is gained at the expense of distortion.

The JLs adaptive power supply rail topology makes it ideal for car audio because it can drive and adjust to different speaker loads and supply voltage. The JLs also use Differential input circuitry and that makes them a perfect match for the TSX HU.

Both the JL and the Alpine PDX are good amps, they just sound completely different and it comes down to what your ear tells you is best. I did an A/B test with the JL and the PDX and I prefer the sound of the JL. I also prefer the sound of my vintage 20w tube amp to the sound of my 110w home theater amp.

jeff

 

Wow, Rich definitely did a nice job on your ride, very clean. Can you take the sub box out if you need to put some luggage in the car?

I went to Rich a few weeks ago because I needed some interconnects and I needed him to add some fiberglass to the inside of my sub enclosure to fit a smaller woofer. He quoted me $350 for adding a bit of fiberglass, and $250 to make six 1' RCAs. He really charges an arm and a leg but it seems like he does a good job. Did anything get broken during the install?

 

Nice set up..

 

Just wanted to chip in ... I have a Pioneer PRS-D4100F, which is a class D 4ch amp. I used it to replace a Avionixx 440.4 class A/B 4 channel amp. Some strange things I've noticed about the Pioneer:

1) it's lighter. Much lighter, at least by half.
2) it barely warms up, even after hours of heavy use.
3) the near-subsonic frequencies seem to have been lost or reduced. The Avionixx and a RF A/B amp I used would hit hard enough to tickle hairs on my head; the Pioneer won't do anything of the sort. (All filters on the amp are disabled.)

 

What are they using to fill the space between the mp3 attachment kit of the aaftermarket HU?