Splitting RCA cables?

[ttt0649 10+ year member]

Im running a PDX 4.100 amp that requires 2 pair of rca cables.

Can I use this product to split the 1 pair of rca cables into 2 outputs? http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=181-690 I would be getting 2 of these.

Would this work or there is another alternative??

Click to read more...

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

That would work. This will half the voltage coming from each set, though. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the chance of noise in your system is greater. Luckily for you, just about every head unit made in the past decade comes with at least two sets of RCA outputs.

 

[ttt0649 10+ year member]

That would work. This will half the voltage coming from each set, though. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the chance of noise in your system is greater. Luckily for you, just about every head unit made in the past decade comes with at least two sets of RCA outputs.

Well, im goign to add another amp and subwoofer to my car soon and the alpine pdx 4.100 takes up both of the rca outputs. How would i run the rca cable to the new amp and sub?

Is there another way to do this w/out causing voltage drop?

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

Well, im goign to add another amp and subwoofer to my car soon and the alpine pdx 4.100 takes up both of the rca outputs. How would i run the rca cable to the new amp and sub?
Is there another way to do this w/out causing voltage drop?

you could get an Audiocontrol 6XS that would take 2 pairs in and 3 pairs out. it would put your voltage ~8volts.

 

[ttt0649 10+ year member]

you could get an Audiocontrol 6XS that would take 2 pairs in and 3 pairs out. it would put your voltage ~8volts.

I dont have that kind money right now //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif. I wish could afford that. Any other ideas?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

This will half the voltage coming from each set, though. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the chance of noise in your system is greater.

That's not how it works.

Y cables create a parallel connection.

Fundamentals of parallel circuits say voltage is equal at all points, it's the current that changes. Since line level signals operate at such small current it is no problem for the HU to double current output several times before it starts to stress.

So no, you don't lose voltage with y cables.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

I dont have that kind money right now //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif. I wish could afford that. Any other ideas?

you don't have to get an Audiocontrol unit, there are many other brand units that you could get.

i've used this before and it did pretty good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-ACOUSTIK-C3184-3-Way-Electronic-Crossover_W0QQitemZ220387199441QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220387199441&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[WOT]

The y splitter is fine, and you DONT lose voltage, nothing signifcant anyways. Y splitter works fine, this one is much cheaper though

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KARSS1F2M

 

[oldschool4me 10+ year member]

That's not how it works.Y cables create a parallel connection.

Fundamentals of parallel circuits say voltage is equal at all points, it's the current that changes. Since line level signals operate at such small current it is no problem for the HU to double current output several times before it starts to stress.

So no, you don't lose voltage with y cables.

this

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

My bad - you guys are correct. I wonder, then, why I always have to turn the gains up when using a splitter to achieve the same volume level I had before splitting the signal? Perhaps the drop in efficiency makes the audible difference.

Most amps also have an RCA out - I would use that before I would split RCA's.

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

you dont even have to do all that.

you could simply run both sets from HU into 1st amp, then from amp output into 2nd amp input.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

you dont even have to do all that.
you could simply run both sets from HU into 1st amp, then from amp output into 2nd amp input.

That's exactly what I meant

 

[ttt0649 10+ year member]

you dont even have to do all that.
you could simply run both sets from HU into 1st amp, then from amp output into 2nd amp input.

i just noticed that.*hammer to head* im such a noob. thanks fellas

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

That would work. This will half the voltage coming from each set, though. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the chance of noise in your system is greater. Luckily for you, just about every head unit made in the past decade comes with at least two sets of RCA outputs.

Hello! My name is misinformation, and I happen to be completely wrong!

The output voltage is the exact same if you split it or not. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

Imagine that! A parallel circuit not losing voltage. Geez. Physics is amazing! :facepalm: