Hey guys, just came back from best buy. The tech tells me that the factory amp uses an optic wire. lol. He was not able to get sound....help please.

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Yes, the amplifier in back for the premium system is fiber optic input. I replaced it with three new amps and jumped into the amp-to-speaker harness to use OEM speaker wiring. Not sure how you can do this without using an Alpine HU with their fiber optic out, but it may be possible.

 

So, has anyone here installed an aftermarket unit and used oe amp with the premium system......if not, this mod must be very expensive....aaaawww...lol

 

It should be using Alpine protocols, so while maybe no one or few active on this forum has done it, it has been done. This is how you do CD changers with optical input, also. OEMs choose a vendor, then that vendor's aftermarket stuff of equal vintage tends to be compatible.

 

Tony this is possible but is not as easy as it should be. Unfortunately it is almost easier to go big with a sound system that will replace all your components then it is to integrate into the factory equipment with this particular car.

At minimum you will have to find a HU with an optical out. Run a new or use the factory optical line to the OE amp. Or as mentioned, you can try to install a 4-ch amp in place of the factory amp eliminating the optical problem but now needed "amp to speaker" adaptor to use factory speaker wiring, or tapping into factory wiring.

Also, may I suggest you take your Jag elsewhere? Best buy is great, but you want a high end stereo shop that works on a lot of late model higher end cars. They are experts when integrating into factory electronics and interior fit and finish when the job is complete. They may have a better solution for you.

 

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. I will look a little further into it. This site is the best, because of you guy's expertise. Love this site...