Simple amplifier to replace car radio in instrument panel

[DaveRo]

Our Jeanneau SO35 has a car radio fitted in the instrument panel and 2 speakers in the saloon. We never use the radio - the boat's in the eastern Med so it's in Greek or Turkish. It plays CDs, including data CDs containing mp3 files, so we have some of those. But the main problem is that it consumes a lot of power so we only use it when on shore power.

I want to replace it with a simple amplifier, running off 12v, into which we can plug one of the many mp3 players we have - my Nokia phone and tablet, my wife's Sony Walkman and iPad - which have loads of mp3s on them. Just a 3½mm jack socket and a volume control is all I need, and a couple of watts of output. But it must consume very little power since we're challenged in that department.

I'm sure I can cobble something together from the Maplins catalogue, but does anyone know of a ready-made solution?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

http://www.bighoard.co.uk/mini-2-ch...dium=shcomp&utm_campaign=google_shopping_feed

I've not tried it, but for the price it's worth a punt.

 

[causeway]

do a search on google for ta2020, they're an amazing amp which uses very little power. lepai are one 'brand' but there are plenty of others. I think the one i bought was 'Arejen (Argen) Helder'.

They come as a kit but very tiny and easy to wire.

Really, the sound is amazing for the size.

 

[BERT T]

Stereo amplifier

There's this :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lepai-Min...boat-Lepai-DC-12V-silver-/110952557944?pt=UK_
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Hi-F...cycle-12V-/140513096853?pt=UK_In_Car_Technolo
on ebay. both are stereo and mp3 inputs.

 

[BruceDanforth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=class+T+amp

class T (tri-path) amps

 

[William_H]

Amplifier

What would be worth trying is to drive decent speakers with the headphone output of player. Decent loud speakers can be very efficient compared to headphones and headphone output can quite loud. On a quiet location this could be very adequate. good luck olewill

 

[BeBe]

Our Jeanneau SO35 has a car radio fitted in the instrument panel and 2 speakers in the saloon. We never use the radio - the boat's in the eastern Med so it's in Greek or Turkish. It plays CDs, including data CDs containing mp3 files, so we have some of those. But the main problem is that it consumes a lot of power so we only use it when on shore power.

I want to replace it with a simple amplifier, running off 12v, into which we can plug one of the many mp3 players we have - my Nokia phone and tablet, my wife's Sony Walkman and iPad - which have loads of mp3s on them. Just a 3½mm jack socket and a volume control is all I need, and a couple of watts of output. But it must consume very little power since we're challenged in that department.

I'm sure I can cobble something together from the Maplins catalogue, but does anyone know of a ready-made solution?

We replaced our original radio with a JVC KD-DV7300 and play DVD's, CD's, MP3"s, iPhone, USB connected stuff, etc. The JVC is the same size as 1din car radios and fits in the slot.

Hope this helps,

Bill

 

[john_morris_uk]

There's this :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lepai-Min...boat-Lepai-DC-12V-silver-/110952557944?pt=UK_
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Hi-F...cycle-12V-/140513096853?pt=UK_In_Car_Technolo
on ebay. both are stereo and mp3 inputs.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=class+T+amp

class T (tri-path) amps

I've used one of these mini amplifiers - I set it up with a little 12V supply in my cabin on my last ship with a pair of speakers on the bulkhead. It worked brilliantly.

 

[Ru88ell]

We replaced our original radio with a JVC KD-DV7300 and play DVD's, CD's, MP3"s, iPhone, USB connected stuff, etc. The JVC is the same size as 1din car radios and fits in the slot.

Hope this helps,

Bill

+1
I've just put a Clarion unit in my wife's car. Operates as hands free with iPhone and plays music from iPhone / iPad via Bluetooth. Has USB and din point for iPod, etc. Plays DVD, CD and MP3.

 

[DaveRo]

Thanks for all those ideas. I'm sure there's something there that will do the job.

I see some of those amps are powerful enough to run a disco. Can I assume that power input is roughly proportional to power output?

I'd like to use the existing speakers, which are probably designed for cars; I doubt if they're very efficient.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

+1
I've just put a Clarion unit in my wife's car. Operates as hands free with iPhone and plays music from iPhone / iPad via Bluetooth. Has USB and din point for iPod, etc. Plays DVD, CD and MP3.

Go on, give us a clue what model it is.

The JVC quoted by BeBe seems to be discontinued.

 

[noelex]

Most car stereos consume a bit less than a 1amp. So there isn't a great scope for saving power.
Using something like an IPad as the mp3 player will consume much more power even with no consumption from the amplifier.

 

[Robg71]

Take manufacturers rated power outputs with a pinch of salt.
They move the decibel point around around on the distortion (thd) chart to make them sound better than they are...

Most would be clipping and risk damage to your speakers if driven at there rates...
You do risk damaging your gear by using an amp that is too small than one that is too big...

 

[st599]

The Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineering voted the TriPath amp chip as one of the 20 greatest chip designs of all time.

Grab a Lepai amp off eBay with a ta2020 or similar. Absolutely stunning digital amp.

 

[BrianH]

Most car stereos consume a bit less than a 1amp. So there isn't a great scope for saving power.
Using something like an IPad as the mp3 player will consume much more power even with no consumption from the amplifier.

I've just replaced my old Pioneer with this cheapo Alpine one.

Details here.

It takes any external MP3 audio input - I plug a USB stick into the front facia. I have literally hundreds of albums on a couple of 4Gb sticks - from a winter of tedious ripping my CD collection.

The advantage of Alpine - perhaps all of them - production costs dictate using the same reasonable quality audio output chip in all models, even this low-end one and it sounds great. Let's face it, a boat and its loudspeakers are rarely true Hi-Fi.

 

[duncan99210]

We have a cheapo Sony car radio/cd/USB/audio in jack plug that we use with either USB sticks or an iPod. Uses just under 1 amp when in use. Make sure you turn it right off when not using it as it continues to draw about 1/2 an amp when it's 'asleep'. I'd say that's about as good as you're going to get in terms of power consumption, so don't bother with anything else. And you can get them for next to nothing.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I installed one of these in our new boat.

However, I have just replaced it with a Bluetooth enabled one. The original is immaculate, so if you are interested please pm me.

 

[noelex]

I've just replaced my old Pioneer with this cheapo Alpine one.

Details here.

It takes any external MP3 audio input - I plug a USB stick into the front facia. I have literally hundreds of albums on a couple of 4Gb sticks - from a winter of tedious ripping my CD collection.

The advantage of Alpine - perhaps all of them - production costs dictate using the same reasonable quality audio output chip in all models, even this low-end one and it sounds great. Let's face it, a boat and its loudspeakers are rarely true Hi-Fi.

Yes I have a similar Alpine unit IDA X200, but without the cd part. Removing the cd mechanism cuts the chance of water intrusion from wet hands and reduces the power draw.

I think the OP may be looking at the specs and overestimating the power draw of their player.
Mine uses a about 0.7A (9w) playing loud through two resonably inefficient speakers.

 

[Ru88ell]

Go on, give us a clue what model it is.

The JVC quoted by BeBe seems to be discontinued.

Clarion CZ302E

 

[Vara]

Have any of the newer tuner heads, ie with USB/SD/Blue tooth capability got good old Long Wave on them?

My searches would indicate not.

Aaah cancel that just clicked on the above link, power of the forum.