I have a 1988 IROC with the non-Bose, stock audio system. The receiver is an AM/FM/Cassette with a 5-band equalizer and loudness button. I have replaced all of the speakers on the cheap an it still doesn't sound all that great. I am trying to decide if upgrading the receiver is worth it (remember, I a cheap guy) and figured the best way to find out would be to look at the current wattage versus the wattage increase provided by a new receiver. Thanks.

 

replacing the head unit is one of the biggest improvements you will make on a completely stock system. wattage should not be the only thing to look at. there are many different aspects to look at when compairing stereos, including S/N ratio, FM sensitivty, expandiblity features (like line outs, add-on changers, remotes), and overall build quality. you will be very impressed with a new head unit. if you do buy a cd player, put aside at least $150 for a decent one. anything less and you start to compromise quality

 

Yeah, I understand all of that, but I am pretty sure that the stock amp is giving up quite early (distortion) and is barely able to drive the new speakers (at moderately high volumes, the clock gets dim in-sync with the bass). I know that a $100 receiver isn't going to give me an audiophile experience, but I am trying to figure out how low I can go on wattage with a new unit and still see an improvement.

 

basically, the stock radios put out a whopping estimate of 8 watts. When you look at the ones now, standard is around 45w x 4. Lower ones are in the 35 x 4, and the really off brand low quality ones (koss of example) have 25wx4. If you get a 45x x 4 receiver, you'd be fine with the wattage. They usually run 1/2 to 1/3 of that power constantly. So your looking at rouchly 20 watts at all times which is stil more than double what you got now. It dont sound like much, but its a vast improvement over the headphone quality radio you got now. Plus, like CAMp3RO said, your getting better features over the stock one besides power. And, most importantly, a indash CD player.
~Tim

 

8 watts, huh? That's hilarious.

I suppose I'll starting checking things out a little more now that I know I really can't even buy one as weak as the stock amp...

Thanks to both of you.