Two sources... one output?

[CadillacMatt 31]

Hey guys I have a little project I need help with.

I recently purchased a new head unit with a monitor, replacing my old Pioneer 4000UB with iPod control. The new unit only has RCA Aux-In and does not offer iPod integration.

What I am trying to accomplish is have my iPod play audio output through the sound system (two amps - one for mids/highs and one for subs) independent of the head unit, so I can play videos/movies on the head unit while still having the option to listen to a different track than what's being outputted from the movie... if that makes sense.

It would be an easy solution to plug the iPod directly to the Aux-In of the head unit but then the screens would just display a blue screen while in that mode...

I was thinking of running the iPod output through a powered equalizer (the dock connector output of the iPod gives the best quality but it's not powered like the headphone jack, so it needs a preamp and a volume control) and then back to the amps, but that means I would need some kind of two input/one output RCA splitter for each channel on the amp, and I heard that it was not a good idea to combine sources like that... even if you are only playing one at a time, they say that they will short each other out?

The only other option I was considering was to take the outputs from the HU, and the outputs from the iPod/crossover, and running them into an RCA switcher box... but even then, most switcher boxes only have 3 RCA inputs (R, W, and Y) and I would need at least 5 for all of the amp connections... so confusing...

Thanks if anyone can help!

[djphilly 11]

I have a kenwood KVT-719dvd in my expedition and i can have two audio sources going at one time. Look into some OEM intergration units or a EQ that has the aux option. Hifonics HFEQ Active EQ is one.

[supaduppaman 4]

i have a clarion preamp that has an aux and a main input. My pioneer tv runs thru the main input and my ipod runs thru the aux. it has volume control and subwoofer volume as well. switches back and forth with the push of a button. i like it!

[CadillacMatt 31]

i have a clarion preamp that has an aux and a main input. My pioneer tv runs thru the main input and my ipod runs thru the aux. it has volume control and subwoofer volume as well. switches back and forth with the push of a button. i like it!

You are awesome that's just what I was wanting to hear... I ended up ordering a Power Acoustik preamp/crossover with two inputs to do exactly that... I'm a little more at ease knowing that it should work. With your headunit running through the preamp, does the sound quality suffer from being "amplified" both by the HU, then again by the preamp, and finally by the amplifier?

[djphilly 11]

i have a clarion preamp that has an aux and a main input. My pioneer tv runs thru the main input and my ipod runs thru the aux. it has volume control and subwoofer volume as well. switches back and forth with the push of a button. i like it!

You are awesome that's just what I was wanting to hear... I ended up ordering a Power Acoustik preamp/crossover with two inputs to do exactly that... I'm a little more at ease knowing that it should work. With your headunit running through the preamp, does the sound quality suffer from being "amplified" both by the HU, then again by the preamp, and finally by the amplifier?

which power acoustik preamp did you get. is it 1/2 din to put into the dash?

[CadillacMatt 31]

i have a clarion preamp that has an aux and a main input. My pioneer tv runs thru the main input and my ipod runs thru the aux. it has volume control and subwoofer volume as well. switches back and forth with the push of a button. i like it!

You are awesome that's just what I was wanting to hear... I ended up ordering a Power Acoustik preamp/crossover with two inputs to do exactly that... I'm a little more at ease knowing that it should work. With your headunit running through the preamp, does the sound quality suffer from being "amplified" both by the HU, then again by the preamp, and finally by the amplifier?

which power acoustik preamp did you get. is it 1/2 din to put into the dash?

Yeah, the PWM-19 I believe... no room to really put it in the dash I'm gonna have to rig somethin up