I have another question for all before I go out and purchace an Empeg / RioCar.

I know there is an issue with the riocar line level output (4v) and the monsoon input (12v). My question is if I use either a
PDC-LOC4 (http://www.pie.net/sec12sb4.htm) or PAC OEM-1 (or -2) (http://www.go2pac.com/products/oem2.html) will the riocar work?
I am going to be installing this in a New Beetle (unlike the Jetta / Golf, it is only a single din, cant piggyback it to the HU).
and I like the sound of the monsoon amp and speakers and dont want to have to replace them.

To answer some of my own questions.....

Went on a little road trip to some stereo install shops with questions....

Place 1 (small shop):
Ask question 'bout PAC device w/ monsoon...
answer:
'Thats used only to convert speaker level to line level.
You need to redo your whole system'

(in the voice of a pirate) AH HA! *stab*

Place 2 (small shop):
Ask question 'bout PAC device w/ monsoon...
answer:
'Ummm...we have a sale on amps....'

(in the voice of a pirate) AH HA! *stab*

Place 3 (Best Buy):
Ask question 'bout PAC device w/ monsoon...
answer:
'We used to use those things....should work with Monsoon'
then procede to have a 5 minute conversation on how to hook it up....

It looks like I might dare to do the plunge....(get paid on tue,
day to buy RioCar/Empeg).

In reply to:

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I know there is an issue with the riocar line level output (4v) and the monsoon input (12v).

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I'm not trying to sound pendantic but I don't think there is any amp that uses a 12V input.. Most Car audio applications use 12v power.. (ie from the battery)... I think you should rethink your question and perhaps check the FAQ at riocar.org.

*looks up the word pendantic*

Sorry, i phrased myself wrong....The monsoon wants 12v speaker level input.....

*looks up the word pendantic*

A daunting task, that.

*looks up Beepilepsy*

the monsoon unit is OEM unit with weird imputs.....gotta love the OEM stuff....

Didnt look hard enough in this forum.......found this...

if you have the monsoon system, you have an external amp, that is decent, but has a couple of problems.

#1: the monsoon amp is expecting high level inputs, aprox 10-12 volts, so the output on the empeg is very quiet, compared to what you get out of the factory deck.

options: buy a pair of $120 (audio king) signal boosters, that will allow the output from the empeg to drive the mosoon amp just fine, you could get away with one booster, but you would loose front->rear fader control. or find a booster that supports 4 channels.


#2: the monsoon amp HATES the empeg being pluged in while it's active.. i think there are several problems here.. and may be a software fixable thing by the empeg guys.
options: I don't know yet, but the booster may solve this problem. I think the better solution is this.. if there is control over the amplifier powerup lead, don't init the amplifier untill the empeg is powered up, and ready to play.. the amp in the jetta powers up quickly (i also have used xtant amplifiers that take aprox 3-4 seconds too boot before supplying spekars with auido) also, when the empeg is supposed to be in power-off mode.. shut down the amplifier, so you can yank the head unit without poping the system. I had the amp freak out, and not produce audio 2 times, while doing the install, just by yanking the empeg and plugging it back in with the car off.. i had to wait several min before droping it back in.