I got half way through my stereo install the other day only to smack myself on the forehead about running everything down the passenger side. Not wanting to backtrack I just continued on. Only I ran the power cable deep into the carpet and the audio wires (rca's, speaker wire, etc) in the channel that's there. I'd say there is about a minimum 4" separating the power from any audio at all points. No problems, no whine! I'm using some high end cables though. Similar to these pictured.

BTW my setup is... XTANT X604 in the trunk toolwell, Alpine 7889 head unit, (2)JL 8" subs in a passenger footwell box, and MB quarts separates in the door. All speakers/subs being controlled by the amp.

 

Good job - nice solid research.

As an alternative you could use Zapco's simbalink system instead of RCAs and get completely noiseless connections.

-JD

 

Krystal I did not see this model on that site - pls send me a link

 

If I ever get an aftermarket head unit, I'm going to make sure it puts out a high voltage (4 or even 8 volts) signal. I've read that's one way to cut down on interference. I'll also get interconnects with good shielding.

Right now, though, I'm just running a speaker level signal to the back of the car from the stock head unit. I don't pretend it's cleaner than a line level signal but it doesn't have any whine issues. (I am getting whine but only on AM radio.)

 

8V outputs have been discussed in detail here. There is actually a loss in performance, since 90% of amplifiers only accept 4V inputs, and thus have the extra labor of toning down the voltage. So that wont help you.

JNick....
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...?prodID=KRY-6M

 

Just to get my .02 in, it doesn't really matter what side your cables are on, just as long as they are far apart. Again, like stated above, this doesn't matter a whole lot unless you are going for the ultimate supremo no noise detectable with a micraphone approach. Back when I didn't know alot about car audio, I wired my 4guage power cable and taped the RCA's to it to run the whole length to the trunk where the amp was. They were basically wrapped around each other. Later that year, I won 2nd in an audio contest for clarity. The guy said I had a perfect sound and no noise at all. Of course I was using monster cable all around with the grounded RCA's. Definitely no substitute for shielding

 

Things to think about.

Of course keep things separated to not create any interference.

Run the shortest signal paths possible

Try to always use a common ground for the entire system.

 

I have these Monster cables and I have never had any whine what-so-ever.
M1001XLN

 

Holy crap John, you're alive! What the hell have you been up too?

 

Dude I've been on very busy guy as of late. I'm sorry I never got together with all you guys. I never even got to finish Jim's box for him YET! I have it mostly done though.
My life as been a complete up and down train ride the last 6months. My wife and I have been though the mill, but we've figured out a lot of things together and we are so much happier now. I think shes even coming around to understanding the car nut. I'll be around more now that we've figured 'us' out.

How about you, you been good?