hello from aaron, any audio types out there?

[aaronbocknek]

first, i'd lke to apologize for my long absense here. i've had some issues that have diverted my attention (involving maccabee and a woman down the street), and i've injured my right arm while shoveling heavy snow a few weeks ago, so it's really painful to type.

okay, now onto the question. the previous owners installed a new stereo/cd player in the salon and attached a 200 watt amp to the unit. the wire work is beyond a cluster---- phil took off the panel yesterday to see what was what and was orbital at the mess he found. how anyone can attach wires without butt connectors is beyond our comprehension. the wires are twisted together and then electrical taped! god what a mess. they also removed the original volume controls for the forward, center and aft cabin and just put a dummy plate over the holes and then capped off the original speaker wire. why they did this one never knows.

so during phils investigation yesterday, he disconnected the stereo from the amp and not only did it operate just fine, but the volume was the same as when attached to the amp. the stereo is direct wired to the dc panel, but the amp has this crazy set up that has wires running into the bilge and attaching directly to the starboard engine battery along with a hi amp auto fuse in the storage area near the electrical panel. we are thinking that removing the amp will not be a big deal..... any thoughts?

now, i would like to return the set up to its orginal design, by having individual volume controls for each area. the wires are there, the holes are there, all i need are the controls. if anyone has removed these knobs and controls during a renovation, i would love to purchase all 3 from whomever. for the life of me i cannot figure who made the original volume controls.
as an fyi, phil discovered that all the speakers have been replaced too.

we also reconnected the original antenna and instead of the rube goldberg retro fit that the PO did, it's actually much better. the design that trojan used was fairly simple. use auto in glass antenna wire and attach it to the panel. clever and it works. still. after all these years.

can't wait for the respnses.
aaron in baltimore.

[risctaker]

Your CD/ Stereo unit obviously has a built-in "Pre-Amp" which is why it can function at all without the external amp. The additional amp is what will give you the boost in power to distribute the audio signal throughout the boat with the volume and frequency ranges that you want. My advice is to replace the amp. If you can't find the orignal speaker fader switch knobs, Radio Shack sells generic ones that are designed to fit a standard single electrical box which is what I have on my boat.

Steve

[prowlersfish]

If it works find without the amp then use it without the amp The unit has its own amp ( pre amp is whats use when you have another amp ) remove or disconect the power wire to be safe .