Hi all,

I am a total noob when it comes to stereos so in a way its a good thing that I'm looking to start from scratch.

What I would like to know is if there is any way to hook up an iPod to an amp and speakers without having a head unit? All the controls are on the iPod anyway and its not like I'm looking for any tunes other than the ones on the iPod, plus I can easily remove the iPod making it way more secure.

The truck is an 88 Chevy Cheyenne and its pretty stock inside so having a big shiny head unit sticking out of the dash is just gonna look wrong. So I thought if there was a way to get kick *** sounds from an iPod pumped through an amp and speakers I could easily stealth the dock for the iPod I would be able to keep the interior as std as possible.

If I can do it great but if its not do-able let me know so I can start working on plan B

 

It's no problem to do. A very inexpensive cable connecting the Ipod headphone jack to the stereo RCA input on the amp is all that you will need. Just connect a toggle switch to the accessory wire on the vehicle and run it to the amp control line so you can have the amp off when the vehicle is running for the the times when you are not listening to it.

 

...or you could get one of these and also charge your ipod and have a direct dock to rca input.

Metra iPod To RCA Cable - AIP-RCA Reviews | 3 reviews

 

You'd be playing it through an amp for your mids and highs, right?

Playing an iPod through just amped subs wouldn't sound so hot.

At least, you'd have to play it through a 4 channel amp powering the speakers in the car. In addition, I suppose you could split the RCA's to make another pair, and run one set to the amp for the speakers, one set to the amp for a sub or subs.

 

I was gunna say the HU is where all the power and sounds come from so like he said if it were just to run ur sub it would sound stupid so u need to amps a mono block and a 4 channel.

 

A lot of amps have preouts on them so connecting 2 amps together would be just a RCAxRCA cable. The point about preout voltage from the ipod is a good question. A preamp would likely be a good idea. The original question of will it work, the answer is yes. Then it comes down to SQ and how far you are prepared to go to acheive it.