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E39 Amplifier
Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that
amplifier only takes a digital input. "Lapchien" > wrote in message ... > well, mine doesn't - hence the question! > > > "Jim Levie" > wrote in message > news >> On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 15:36:52 +0100, Lapchien wrote: >> >> > Does anyone know if it is possible to add an amp to an E39? I think it >> > just goes into a bracket, a little like the way the cd changer does. >> > Is >> > there some pre-wiring already there? >> > >> As far as I know every E39 will already have an amplifier. I think it's >> mounted in the trunk just above where the CD changer lives. >> >> -- >> The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat. >> > > |
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#2
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In article >,
BTF > wrote: > Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that > amplifier only takes a digital input. Mine hasn't got DSP, but has an external amp. -- *Failure is not an option. It's bundled with your software. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#3
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On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote:
> Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that > amplifier only takes a digital input. > No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an external amplifier. On an E39 the amp is mounted on the left side of the trunk just behind and above the CD changer's location. I can't say if all BMW models mount the amp on the left side of the trunk, but a sampling of three ('01 E39, '91 E39, & '90 E32) all have the amp in that location (might be a trend here). > "Lapchien" > wrote in message > ... >> well, mine doesn't - hence the question! >> And do you have a stock BMW radio, or has it been changed out to an after market unit? With a BMW head unit no amp equals no sound. -- The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat. |
#4
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The two posts following mine are likely correct. I stand corrected, but I'm unclear how his radio works if all he has is a head unit (pre-amp) but no amp. "Jim Levie" > wrote in message news > On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote: > >> Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that >> amplifier only takes a digital input. >> > No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an > external amplifier. On an E39 the amp is mounted on the left side of the > trunk just behind and above the CD changer's location. I can't say if all > BMW models mount the amp on the left side of the trunk, but a sampling of > three ('01 E39, '91 E39, & '90 E32) all have the amp in that location > (might be a trend here). > >> "Lapchien" > > wrote in message >> ... >>> well, mine doesn't - hence the question! >>> > And do you have a stock BMW radio, or has it been changed out to an after > market unit? With a BMW head unit no amp equals no sound. > > -- > The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat. > |
#5
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Jim Levie > wrote in message >...
> On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:45:21 -0700, BTF wrote: > > > Only the BMW's with the DSP option have the extra amplifier, plus that > > amplifier only takes a digital input. > > > No. The radio on any modern BMW is just a head unit that requires an > external amplifier. ....in the US, sure. But the OP is from the UK (or at least has a UK email address). Some early, down-spec E39 5ers (and every 3er sold up until right now in the UK, all European and most Asian markets) have an amplifier built into the head unit. |
#6
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"Lapchien" > wrote in message >...
> Does anyone know if it is possible to add an amp to an E39? I think it just > goes into a bracket, a little like the way the cd changer does. Is there > some pre-wiring already there? Pre-wiring, if your car has the basic stereo system with an amp built into the head unit, will not be present. I am less familiar with the E39 set-up, but there is clearly an "entry-level" setup which has no external amplifier. You can of course buy all the parts necessary to upgrade to the "Hi-fi" or "Top Hi-fi" versions, but the cost will run into many thousands of pounds. By a light year, your better bet is to buy a good, aftermarket amplifier capable of taking speaker-level input, and some replacement speakers. A high-quality aftermarket head unit will also improve things soundwise, but requires an adapter plate. Besides, almost all of them look terrible - blinging, flashing crap that looks like it was designed by Eminem and will mug you the moment you get into the car. |
#7
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In article >,
Andrew Thomas > wrote: > ...in the US, sure. But the OP is from the UK (or at least has a UK > email address). Some early, down-spec E39 5ers (and every 3er sold up > until right now in the UK, all European and most Asian markets) have > an amplifier built into the head unit. Early low spec UK cars are pretty rare because the demand was so high, and BMW weren't going to miss out on profit. But I thought all E39 radios had external amps - the head unit is after all a special. -- *Don't squat with your spurs on * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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