Recommendations for an amp to use as preamp in car

[bryanb]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a headphone amp to act as a preamp in my car. I'm going to use it to boost the output from my Dell DJ and will directly connect the amp to my car's stereo.

I need to be able to power the amp from a cigarette outlet. I also want variable gain as I'm planning to use the line output from the DJ. I'd like to keep the purchase under $150.

So far I like the look and spec of the Shellbrook Maxi Moy, but I'd like to know what you guys think about some other options. I know this isn't related to headphones but was hoping to take advantage your guys' expertise.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[nikongod]

be EXTRODINARILY sure that you dont create some funky ground loop with the serio on the car disagreeing with the ground of the amp....

as far as whihc in specfic, if you are looking for something not toooo expensive (actually dirt cheap) that will probably not create a groundloop, try out the "elcheapo" amp. this assumes you are into diy:

click for amp KIT

i like the sound. i was severly chided for owning an ampo that has a published distortion of 0.02%thd...

the board is super-easy to build. if you can make your own wiring plug to adapt a sterio to a stock harness, you can probably build this board.

 

[bryanb]

Bump

 

[nikongod]

the worst of the worst of headphone amps is probably not going to be the limiting factor in the quality of a car audio system...

as long as you dont create a ground loop, you are good to go.

sadly for us most car audio systems use chasis ground as signal ground, and 12V as highside. accordingly having a split psu (like in a cmoy, pimetta, ppa, most popular designs) you wind up with some big problems regarding dc offsets and "diferent" incompatable ground references if you try to power the amp off of the cars 12V line.

you can always buy a purpose built car audio pre-amp box, and wire your mip-three player into that. and that into yoru sterio. i guess that defys the "does both things" request. but a dedicated pre-amp box will at minimum have a level "dial" if not variable gain, and will not cause a ground loop.