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Empeg installed!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by petteri, Aug 13, 2005.

  1. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    Well I finally got my Empeg (RioCar) player installed! For me this is the perfect solution for playing my music collection in my car. It has a 110GB hard drive (two laptop HDs actually), so it fits my whole music collection. It is made to be used in a car so it is easy to use while driving. I have a bunch of photos in my album but here are a couple.

    [Broken External Image]:http://home.earthlink.net/~petteri/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/smallaudio.jpg

    and

    [Broken External Image]:http://home.earthlink.net/~petteri/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/smallinstalled.jpg

    It is connected directly to the factory amp (JBL). When the Empeg is on the factory radio audio outputs are cut off, but I still have volume control and all the other audio controls active. When I turn off the Empeg the factory radio outputs become active again. I have a Sirius radio hooked up to the aux-in port of the Empeg. I'm really happy with this install. My next project will be to upgrade the speakers. The Empeg plays at a slightly lower volume that the factory radio, but nothing to bad. I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn down the volume before turning off the Empeg. The Empeg has is own volume control but I have it locked (via the Empeg's software) at the correct level to avoid distortion. Its really too bad they don't make these things any more!
     
    #1 petteri, Aug 13, 2005
  2. cooldog

    cooldog New Member

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    petteri,

    What did you use to interface to the JBL amp, and where did you get it?

    I strikes me that it should be possible to use a two input stereo line mixer to overcome the either/or aspect of switching between the Prius audio (we have the nav system and bluetooth phone stuff) and the outboard audio, but I have no info on the interface to the amp.

    Regards,
    Paul
     
    #2 cooldog, Aug 14, 2005
  3. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    I don't have the details on how they connected to the amp. I did give them a limk to this site Empeg BBS , where someone did the job themselves using this: MY4-DC12(S)
    part.

    I hope that helps. I'm going back to the shop later this week, so I'll try and get more details...
     
    #3 petteri, Aug 14, 2005
  4. cooldog

    cooldog New Member

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    Thanks. So it looks like they just cut into the wires and inserted a relay.

    Crude but effective ...

    Shortly after I sent you my question, I found this page with loads of info:

    http://tom-morrow-land.com/tests/priusaudio/
     
    #4 cooldog, Aug 14, 2005
  5. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    Oh, I don't lose the nav voice or the bluetooth audio when the Empeg is playing. If that is what you are getting at.
     
    #5 petteri, Aug 14, 2005
  6. cooldog

    cooldog New Member

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    Really? Hmmm ... ok, now I wonder how THAT works!

    Then a relay would be perfectly acceptable.

    Do you need to manually switch it, or does turning on the Empeg switch the relay for you?


    Paul
     
    #6 cooldog, Aug 14, 2005
  7. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    I think the NAV + Bluetooth module is separated from the radio headunit. They connect directly to the amp. Turning on the Empeg automatically switches the relay. Turning off the Empeg switchs to the factory headunit. If the Empeg is not in it's sled the factory radio is normal. The only minus to this system is that I need to have the Empeg in the car if I want to use the Sirius radio. I could just install the Toyota branded Sirius tuner, but I don't like it's limitations (i.e display and 18 presets).
     
    #7 petteri, Aug 14, 2005
  8. cooldog

    cooldog New Member

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    Peter,

    I installed the Toyota XM radio a few days ago. I like the integration. I'd buy an IPod if coastaletech would ever get their interface finished ...

    But I already have an 80GB Neo Car Jukebox --- it's currently in a Honda Pilot that I want to sell, and truthfully, I'm not sure I feel like spending the time and effort to remove it.

    I'm looking at the info I found on the JBL system, and trying to see where the Nav and Bluetooth connect.

    Paul
     
    #8 cooldog, Aug 14, 2005
  9. j_maxwell181

    j_maxwell181 New Member

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    Thanks for replying to my other post. Do you have any info on the relay you used? Like what it is and how to install. I was reading this thread and it sounds pretty good and prob a great way to go.
     
    #9 j_maxwell181, Feb 22, 2009
  10. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    Click on the Empeg BBS link above for much more detailed install details. I had a shop do the install based on that thread. Yea, it's a seamless install with the relay you lose no functionality at all. It just works. Now, the EMPEG was designed work with an amp, so it matches what the Prius amp is looking for in a low level input. YMMV.
     
    #10 petteri, Feb 23, 2009
  11. j_maxwell181

    j_maxwell181 New Member

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    Thanks. what voltage does the empeg unit pass to the amp (can't find it online). My rca outputs on my headunit pass 5v, hope thats not too much for the amp :(
     
    #11 j_maxwell181, Feb 23, 2009
  12. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    All stats:

     
    #12 petteri, Feb 24, 2009
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