Harmon Kardon System

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

The inputs to the HK amplifier come directly from the speaker output of the head unit in DIN format, diagram attached Simon

That diagram is for a Symphony system. According to the OP he has high line sat. nav. so the appropriate diagram is on page 120. In this case, the inputs to the HK amplifier come directly from the speaker outputs of the radio receiver in the spare wheel well, not the "head unit" which is the Bordmonitor.

Simon

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by SD1too

That diagram is for a Symphony system. According to the OP he has high line sat. nav. so the appropriate diagram is on page 120. In this case, the inputs to the HK amplifier come directly from the speaker outputs of the radio receiver in the spare wheel well, not the "head unit" which is the Bordmonitor.

Simon

So is there a different HK amplifier for the highline nav system? no I would say, so you can cross reference what would be connected in the case of the bordmonitor setup, and translate that to the wiring in the DIN version.

In either case the HK does not have low level pre amp inputs

Either that or source a different loom for the HK

Brian

[scoubix]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

So is there a different HK amplifier for the highline nav system? no I would say, so you can cross reference what would be connected in the case of the bordmonitor setup, and translate that to the wiring in the DIN version.

In either case the HK does not have low level pre amp inputs

Either that or source a different loom for the HK

Brian

You're both saying the same thing, which is that there's a single reference for the HK amplifier, whether for a Symphony or Hiline, and it only takes speaker-level inputs, either from the head-unit in case of a Symphony (or aftermaket) setup, or from the radio module in case of the Hiline setup. It's only a matter of loom, which are different to each setup.
In any case, the HK amplifier not having pre-amp inputs is the main reason why it fails to achieve the level of sound quality one could reasonably expect from this setup.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by scoubix

... it only takes speaker-level inputs, either from the head-unit in case of a Symphony (or aftermaket) setup, or from the radio module in case of the Hiline setup.

Hello Nicolas, nice to hear from you.

It's only a matter of loom ..

It's a matter of accurate terminology actually!

The confusion arises due to the current fashion for calling anything installed in the centre console a "head unit".
The correct definition of a "head unit" is one which does not have its own power amplification stages (at least, it may not have a tuner and/or pre-amp. stage either). The Symphony is not such a device. MGR calls it a radio-cassette which is accurate and appropriate for its era. A radio is a tuner and amplifier in one box.

The Bordmonitor is a "head unit". Its rôle is only to control the radio receiver, CD player(s) and sat.nav. computer. It cannot be directly connected to an HK power amplifier.

Centre console mounted audio equipment made by Kenwood, Sony etc. as well as the Symphony and Harmony are not head units. They too are radio receivers and CD players because they have an integral power ampifier which can be connected to an HK power amplifier.

... the HK amplifier not having pre-amp inputs is the main reason why it fails to achieve the level of sound quality one could reasonably expect from this setup.

Absolutely correct Nicolas, and very well phrased if I may say so!

Simon

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by SD1too

It's a matter of accurate terminology actually!

The confusion arises due to the current fashion for calling anything installed in the centre console a "head unit".
The correct definition of a "head unit" is one which does not have its own power amplification stages (at least, it may not have a tuner and/or pre-amp. stage either). The Symphony is not such a device. MGR calls it a radio-cassette which is accurate and appropriate for its era. A radio is a tuner and amplifier in one box.

The Bordmonitor is a "head unit". Its rôle is only to control the radio receiver, CD player(s) and sat.nav. computer. It cannot be directly connected to an HK power amplifier.

Centre console mounted audio equipment made by Kenwood, Sony etc. as well as the Symphony and Harmony are not head units. They too are radio receivers and CD players because they have an integral power ampifier which can be connected to an HK power amplifier.



Simon

I still call a radio a wireless, but hey ho.

By the law of averages, most people would have understood what was inferred by the reference to head unit Simon

Have a read HERE

So if the OP hasn't given up the will to live the advice would seem to be to bin the HK as apparently it's rubbish anyway, take out the bordmonitor and separate radio tuner/sat nav systems and install a nice modern radio, of which there are many options to choose from, both double DIN and single with adaptor and enjoy listening to Radio 2 again

And remember to disconnect the K-Bus and speed related volume inputs from the radio loom as not to cause offence to the other systems on the car, such as windscreen wipers and the like

Brian