GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey everyone,I'm new here to the forums. I got my '03 Vibe used in December of 2005. I've been reading these pages for a while now, and decided to join. Great forum you guys have here...Anyway, I've been searching around for information about installing an aftermarket HU with the M&T package:In some threads I read that you need a line out converter, but in other threads, people have said that if you use the "Speaker Outs" on the A/M HU (NOT the pre-outs), then a converter is NOT necessary.Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

Generally its agreed on that you want to use the speaker outputs of the Aftermarket HU, and put them through a level-matcher like the Scosche FA-3.This is different from a straight 'Line-Level converter'.The FA-3 lets you tweak down the output of the headunit to more acceptable levels for the M&T amp. You do not want to use the RCA outputs of the headunit to the M&T amp, it makes all sorts of wierd noise and fuzz.Also, welcome!

Awesome. Thanks for clearing that up!So basically, once I install the FAI-3, my objective is to turn down all of the 4 channels to a level the stock amp can handle? How do I know how much to turn them down by?

Quote, originally posted by VoodooVibe »Awesome. Thanks for clearing that up!So basically, once I install the FAI-3, my objective is to turn down all of the 4 channels to a level the stock amp can handle? How do I know how much to turn them down by?Get an FAI-3, but don't open it - connect your head unit. If it sounds fine across the volume range, you're good to go. Return the FAI-3. If you hear white noise at low volumes and/or distortion at loud volumes, you'll want to install the FAI-3 and reduce the level until the problem goes away.

Okay, so I guess it really just depends on the A/M head unit's output level. (I'm going to install a Pioneer DEH-P7600MP btw).I'll give it a try then, and if it works I'll just return the converter.Thanks for all your help everyone...

The 7600mp you will probably need it for. The amplifier in it is pretty beefy. But yes, feel free to give it a shot without and verify that you do need it.