Hi Guys,

I'm finally installing my Soundstream 5 channel amp and 10" Infinity subs in my car and I had a few questions...

1. What do people (who know what they're doing) usually build amp racks out of? Just particle board? I'm making a fairly simple false floor in the hatch....


2. I've got a CD deck out of 2000 Camaro...if I use this rather than my Sony deck (I want low profile) would you recommend running speaker wire directly to the speaker level inputs in the amp or should I use a 4 channel line out converter and run RCA cable??...

3. Is the Tsunami stuff any good?? They carry it a few places here...I'm considering their RCA cables and 4 ga. inline fuse...Or should I just stick with StreeWires or Esoteric?

Thanks for the help,

Sean

1. i used 3/4" MDF screwed onto 6 pieces ( 4x corners 2x middle ) of cut up 2x4 to raise up the false floor.

2. if you have aftermarket speekers for your front end, id use an amp. hell, even if their stock - i bet theyd still sound better with an amp.

3. i used kicker rca cables. omg - they are gangster

Thanks for your input. Can anyone else comment? I am planning to use an amp...the soundstream 5 ch., but my question was actually whether it's better to use a 4 ch. line out converter or to just run speaker wire to the speaker level inputs on the amp...I'm guessing it has a decent built-in converter.

Also, is MDF the way to go on amp racks? It seems so damn heavy. Also, what's the consensus on Tsunami RCA cables and inline fuses, etc?

Thanks

Sean

with that amp, i would suggest using the line out convertor and running rcas. it might work all right with the speaker level inputs but i dont know how good that would be. ide say go w/ the rcas if you can afford it.

mdf is not necessary for the amp rack, but it is pretty durable. particle board or even plywood would be fine though.

i think tsunami is good. i have heard lots of good feedback on it, but have never used it or know anybody that has.

jacob

Just to add another opinion, I would think speaker wires directly into the amp would be better because it's one less place that will cause distortion or potential problems later on. The Soundstream should have a good converter built in. There's no sense in duplicating the effort.

MDF is good for general building as mentioned by Tamu. If you have the ability, fiberglass or plexiglas has a lot more flexibility and creativeness.

For connectors Tsunami would be fine for power/ground/distribution, the main difference in brands for that stuff is appearance. I haven't had a problem with running fairly cheap RCA's as long as everything is routed and grounded right.

For an amp rack I wouldn't use 3/4" MDF just to save on the added weight in the rear of the car. I've built some pretty heavy amp racks in the past I will probably use something a little thinner in the future. Just a thought.