MP3 Amplification.

Nasher · 14 November 2005, 10:33

Hello all

I know it’s been discussed before, but I’m after a simple explanation.

One of my projects for this winter is to equip the boat with some tunes, so me and the smaller Nashers can cruise the Solent in style, and upset Cowes HM with Black Sabbath as well as our Jolly Roger that he takes exception to.

Plan is as follows

Pair marine speakers mounted in the console.
Amplifier mounted inside the console.
MP3 player velcro’d to the dashboard with output cable passing through sealed hole to amp inside.

Do I just make up a cable that goes from headphone socket on the player to the line input on the amp?
Or do I need an MP3 with a separate line out?

I’m looking to buy the cheapest MP3 possible, just in case it gets covered in salt water etc, 128Mb will be enough for a day out I’m sure. There appear to be some around for @15quid, but these won’t be any good if I need a separate line out.
I’d spend a bit more if I could get one with an integral FM radio, but don’t know if there are any available.

Nasher.

jwalker · 14 November 2005, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

MP3 player velcro’d to the dashboard with output cable passing through sealed hole to amp inside.

It surprises me that most of you folk with open ribs don't have a cubby in the front of the consol. Mount your vhf in there, keep your gloves and scarf in there, keep your chart in there, spare fuses, bottle of juice, etc, etc. Plus your MP3 player.

Quote:

Do I just make up a cable that goes from headphone socket on the player to the line input on the amp?
Or do I need an MP3 with a separate line out?

Yeh, that should be fine. Line inputs don't normally have any equalzation. Start with the MP3 volume at low though because you can probably overdrive the line input.

ollyit · 14 November 2005, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Hello all

I know it’s been discussed before, but I’m after a simple explanation.

One of my projects for this winter is to equip the boat with some tunes, so me and the smaller Nashers can cruise the Solent in style, and upset Cowes HM with Black Sabbath as well as our Jolly Roger that he takes exception to.

Plan is as follows

Pair marine speakers mounted in the console.
Amplifier mounted inside the console.
MP3 player velcro’d to the dashboard with output cable passing through sealed hole to amp inside.

Do I just make up a cable that goes from headphone socket on the player to the line input on the amp?
Or do I need an MP3 with a separate line out?

I’m looking to buy the cheapest MP3 possible, just in case it gets covered in salt water etc, 128Mb will be enough for a day out I’m sure. There appear to be some around for @15quid, but these won’t be any good if I need a separate line out.
I’d spend a bit more if I could get one with an integral FM radio, but don’t know if there are any available.

Nasher.

Dont buy or make a cable I have exactly the cable u need, 1 male 3.5m stereo jack connector splitting in out in to 2 x RCA Phone outputs (left and right), got millions at work, I'll bring it tonight for you

Hightower · 14 November 2005, 12:10

Nasher, funny you're talking MP3 and Amp.....I was only thinking about that last night. I bought a 512MB one from Makro on Sat for £25 during their special offer week. I recon that John is right, just run the headphone leads to the line input......You got an amp yet? I've got a 150 something amp one in the garage if your interested.

You going tonight?

Hightower · 14 November 2005, 12:12

All we need is a car battery and we'll have some tunes tonight....That'll please the bar staff

...Black Sabbath

Nasher · 14 November 2005, 12:19

Thanks Guys, see you all tonight.

Jwalker

My console is one large cuddy, big enough for a portable loo etc, and reasonably dry most of the time.

Olly
Thanks, looks like I'm buying you a pint or two.

Hightower
We'll talk tonight, can you bring it with you? PM me a price and I'll make sure I've some cash on me just in case.

Nasher.

Rogue Wave · 17 November 2005, 23:31

Taking WJ's point have a look at what Pete 7.25 (he's been promoted) has done on his Pac, he has put a small Henderson tub on the side of the console.
He has mounted his Icom inside this and it strikes me as the ideal solution for an amp input also

Biggles · 17 November 2005, 23:43

Hi,

What amp do you need to run a speaker from a cheap MP3 player. Something from argos would be ideal. 1 year guarantee. Then I can get a new one every year.

Its something I would like to do but I'm not too sure of what bits I need.

I was thinking of buying one waterproof marine speaker, getting a cheap MP3 128 mb player and some sort of amp. But I don't know what amp..

Any suggestions !!!

Rogue Wave · 18 November 2005, 00:12

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...185&doy=18m11D

would do it but it doesn't need to cost this much look in your free ads and somebody will be selling an amp. re wiring it's pretty simple use fairly substantial speaker cables and power feeds to the Amp and a 3,5 mm to twin phono's from MP3 to amp.

I have been meaning to do it myself for a while and have all the bits so I might whack one in to Stevie this weekend, if i do I'll take some photies.

By the way when yu buy an amp ignore the power rating that they clain it's absolute bollux just buy an amp with twin channels

The Jackeens · 18 November 2005, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Taking WJ's point have a look at what Pete 7.25 (he's been promoted)

missus

Rodan · 18 November 2005, 08:19

This looks (sounds) interesting - the black rib crashing round the Solent to the sounds of Sabbath or possibly even Motorhead would suit perfectly (although would probably end up with Teletubbies or Disney when the kids complain). I haven't got a clue how to do this so:

You need some wires, an amp, speakers and an MP3 player...

Questions in no particular order of stupidity:

Where is the best place (less £££) to get marine speakers (presume you need special ones)?

How is volume controlled on the amp? Does the player do this or can i mount separate controls?

Will sound differ a lot depending on mounting?

thanks!

Rogue Wave · 18 November 2005, 10:20

Type this into your search engine and you will get a fair choice

waterproof speakers

Alpines are OK and have been making them foe a while

As mentioned previously on this thread use the volume control and the headphone output. start at nothing and gingerly work your way up ! If you wanted to then you could put a potentiometer in line to attenuate the circuit!

Sound quality! Ahh now theres the rub. depending on where and how you mount your speakers makes a difference to what sort of distortion you are going to hear!

It is advisable to mount the speakers on an oversized baffle preferably made out of 18 mm ply as this will give a degree of rigidity to the drivers and minimise buzzing noises.

Also the amp generates heat which is disapated by the cooling fins of the heat sinks so I'd keep em away from fuel lines and the like withing the mounting area.

Also remember Bass is omnidirectional, and fkkn omnipresent nowadays, so if yew want to have a good bass and put in a subwoofer it can be anywhere on the boat. A seat console being ideal!

These comments are not based on experience of Marine Audio systems so don't take it as gospel.

Hightower · 18 November 2005, 12:10

Right, I've found my amp and have an MP3 player, with Ollys leads and some speakers I have I can rig up a demo layout in the Garage.

Olly, can you get me some leads please?

Anyone like to come over and have a fiddle?......With the sound system I mean

.

Rodan · 18 November 2005, 12:23

That looks good - another project for next year. Anyone know where I can get some nice neon lights to hang under the tubes? Got to get some fluffy dice for the radar arch too...

Hugh Jardon · 30 November 2005, 18:41

i am fitting a stereo as well to the rib and will go down the mp3 play/amp route, have already identified where the speakers will go and where the second pair could go

have seen reasonable speakers for 75 - clarion 35 - cheaper make, so it could be quite cheap to fit out with sounds

has anyone set up with the mp3/amp route yet, is the sound good and the volume control ok?

The Jackeens · 30 November 2005, 20:31

Slightly off topic and NOT for a RIB (

) but I like the look of that BOSE speaker for ipod.

Too much £££ and a bit gimmicky but tempting all the same.

I might write to Santy.

missus

Rogue Wave · 30 November 2005, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

has anyone set up with the mp3/amp route yet, is the sound good and the volume control ok?

The sound quality will be very dependant on the BPS that you record at, the volume control would work OK, but you would need to take the output from the headphone socket in case the line out isn't affected by the volume control

Hugh Jardon · 30 November 2005, 21:40

as the mp3 players are so cheap these days i will look to buy a reasonable one and have the recording at a higher rate, that should fix it hopefully

Rogue Wave · 30 November 2005, 21:42

Nasher · 30 November 2005, 21:50

Started my bits collection today with an ebay amp.

MP3 player will be my x-mas pressie, then I just need the speakers.

The player itself will be velcrowed to the dash with a cable through a gland into the console.

I've designed a quick release tray arrangement for the amp so I can put it in and out the console all the time rather than leave it in the yard in the cold and damp.

Speakers and cables will have to take their chances.

Nasher