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Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
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RE: Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
I have a Delphi MyFI XM Radio on my boat that I run into a clarion amp. It works like a champ. You need a 3.5mm Y cable that splits into 2 RCA jacks. This cable can be found at Radio Shack. I don't see why the same setup wouldn't work with your 545S.
RE: Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
for those wanting a cheapie way to do it, there are a load of little 5 - 8 Watt amplifiers out there that you can buy for $15-$20 and run off 12V. I got one of those and ran the output from my Garmin 376C to it, and used a waterproof 4" speaker and it works nicely (tho not boom box loud, of course). I also t'ed in the output from a VHF radio (that had only a "mike" speaker....inadequate) using a 1K resistor to the radio and a 1K to the garmin, and I can amplify either the VHF, the XM, or both simultaneously. $40 out of pocket I think.
RE: Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
hey, I realize most people would just buy a stereo amp and be done with it. I just didn't want to go to the expense and have to mount the darn thing and then have it corrode out. my little amp fits inside an existing covering and was just simpler to do for what I wanted to do. Not for everyone.
But then, a fellow at my church just took 2 of my kids freshwater fishing and my kids came back raving about how SIMPLE it was. A 12 foot alum jon boat, 15 hp engine, 3 cane poles, some fishing line, hooks, bobbers and crickets and that was ALL!
Made me remember how simple things can be lots of fun.
Re: Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
Yep, can't argue with ggibby above - simple is good. Quiet is great too and that's what I normally like to hear when fishing. Sometimes however, tunes on the water are nice so I use this little amp to drive speakers for my XM radio or iPod that friends can plug in: http://www.rocktheboataudio.com/html/27140.html
I think you could just plug the stereo outputs from your 545 directly into the R/L RCA female inputs to the amp. It's waterproof and can drive some decent speakers plus has a waterproof volume control knob. I've had it for a year and so far so good.
Re: Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio
Quote:
fly186 - 7/22/2008 9:48 AM
Yep, can't argue with ggibby above - simple is good. Quiet is great too and that's what I normally like to hear when fishing. Sometimes however, tunes on the water are nice so I use this little amp to drive speakers for my XM radio or iPod that friends can plug in: http://www.rocktheboataudio.com/html/27140.html
I think you could just plug the stereo outputs from your 545 directly into the R/L RCA female inputs to the amp. It's waterproof and can drive some decent speakers plus has a waterproof volume control knob. I've had it for a year and so far so good.
Except for just a few more dollars you could just install a marine head unit and have full functionality at 25 watts x 4 rather than 25 x 2. Just as easy to install, too.
Can I add amp to 545s and avoid buying a radio head unit to listen to XM radio 
