RE: [A/S] Re: Upgrading our sound system.

["DT & BW" <dtbw_1999@xxxxxxxxx>]

Michael,
The audio speaker wiring is part of wiring bundles and as such virtually
impossible to replace.  You will not have any success in pulling it out or
pulling new thru.  On the other hand, at the power levels needed within an
A/S, the existing wiring is more than adequate as A/S ran 14 gauge wire for
the speakers.  Monster cable may have its place when connecting
multi-thousand $ speakers to a home system, but in an A/S it is just a waste
of money. 

I did do a complete upgrade to our 2002 A/S audio system.  I kept the Sony
head unit, as you stated, it lacked all the flashing lights and was a pretty
decent unit.  I purchased the input expansion selector from Sony so as to
directly control the 12 disc CD changer from the head unit as well as allow
me to wire in the TV and DVD decks to the head unit (it also has a USB input
for connecting a digital music source such as an iPod or computer).  The amp
sections in these head units are all pretty lame, so I use the head unit
strictly as a pre-amp/control unit.  I went with an outboard 4 channel + sub
150W/channel amp.  I also upgraded all the speakers to Sony Xplode 6" combo
speakers (tweeter, midrange, upper woofer all stacked into one enclosure.  I
did have to do some modifications to the openings, but the new speakers fit.
I ran 6gauge wire + added a couple of the 1Farad storage caps to the power
lines to the main amp as the last thing you want is a voltage drop to the a
power amp (if low distortion overall and bass performance is expected). The
main amp autoswitches on whenever it sees an input from the head, so no need
to turn it on manually.  

I had our rig up at the factory in Oct 03 and Dickie as well as Bob Wheeler
(Dir of Eng) spent a couple of hours in my rig looking at all the things I
had done.  It was interesting that as Dickie entered the trailer, his first
words were, "this is NOT the factory stereo is it?"  I looked at him and
politely told him no and then asked when A/S was going to start doing it
right.  Since that time, they have gone to better components, especially the
speakers, but still not at the level I think they should.  

david