pac oem 1 or amp high level inputs?

[pfbz]

Audio question for a pretty low-end system.

Current setup:

• OEM 2011 Ford F-150 head unit
  
• Polk audio db571 speakers in stock location
  
• Stock wiring.
  
• Ford sync system.
  

I'd like to add the following components:

• Rockford Fosgate Punch PBR300X4 (very small 4-channel amp, adjustable for both high-level speaker inputs and low level inputs)
  
• PAC Audio OEM-1 harness adapter.
  

My plan:

• Use PAC harness so that I don't have to modify the stock audio wiring
  
• Mount amp under the dash near the head unit
  
• Route the head unit outputs into the amp, either through the PAC high level to low level converter, or use the speaker wires directly (This is my question!)
  
• Route the amp outputs back up to the PAC harness, into the stock speaker wiring (to retain sync functionality and minimize additional wiring).
  

So my question is, which is likely to offer higher sound quality. Using the pac converter that comes with the OEM-1 or wiring the speakers directly to the amp and adjusting it for the higher voltage inputs?

Before everybody chimes in, I know that there are better alternatives than either of these, like an AudioControl sound processor, higher quality amp, higher gauge speaker wires directly from amp to speakers, etc. Not what I want for this install..

I'm just curious if the inexpensive PAC converter is better or worse than running higher voltage into the amp and using the amp adjustments..

Any thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[HillBillyJoe]

I know most of the time amps are "happier" with lower gain settings. Use the converter bro.

 

[Tupolev 10+ year member]

I know most of the time amps are "happier" with lower gain settings. Use the converter bro.

Heh, "happier", I like that. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[CADENCE SOUND 10+ year member]

Are you putting in new speakers or just amping the stock ones?

HU speaker ouput >To PAC harness

Then from the PAC harness, use RCA output to the Rockford amp, then connect your speakers to the amp.