Head Unit Replacement and more...

Hi Guys, I'm looking at a replacement for my CDR24 with Sound Plus system. Having done loads of reading of posts here's what I've decided: Kenwood DNX5280BT (probably) Euro Motorspeed installation kit (seems to be the only place that does a good facia panel match? Heard varing things about Connect 2 etc?) I'm now wondering if I should replace the ASK Amp and Bass Speakers while I'm at it? Does anyone have any wise words, or even better Specifications for the Amp and Speakers that come with the Sound Plus system, especially technical specs: Ohms (4?), Max Outputs, Sensitivity etc. I've heard 2 posts on here regarding the ASK Amp. a) Powers the bass speakers in the doors b) Powers the bass speakers in the doors AND the middle speaker in the dash Which is correct? If I replace the ASK amp with something better will I need 2 or 3 channel? Will a mid-range/priced Amp be any better than the ASK? What bass speakers do people fit? I've seen Pioneer TS-SW841 being used. I'm not looking to spend a fortune. Any advice? :thanks:

The ASK amplifier has three outputs, bass and dash middle speaker. Cheers, Tore

Thanks Tore. Any idea on the spec of the Amp? Maximum output, Sensitivity etc? I'm toying with the idea of changing the Sub door speakers with something a bit more powerful and don't know if the ASK amp will cope? I'm considering either: Pioneer TS-SW841 (500W) Kicker CompVT (300W) Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-8 (300W) I'll be matching these up with my new Kenwood DNX5280BT (50w per channel) which I'll use to power the other SoundPlus speakers. Any ideas if the ASK is up to the job? Has anyone any experience of the Connects2 facia and wiring loom adaptors? Thanks, Paul.

Porsche mentions "a total of 185W" for the Sound Package Plus, but the internal amplifier chip data sheet mentions a maximum of 40 to 55W output power at 0,5% distortion with 4 Ohm speakers on each channel. It also has a filtering/conditioning circuit for the centre speaker. The amp uses the head unit speaker signals as inputs, thus a "high" level input, not line input. I would consider changing it to a aftermarket type if you are up to do some Hifi stuff, but it is quite aduequate for normal use. Cheers, Tore

Hi, I have a 2009 gen 2 boxster with ask sound package plus, high and mid range appear very scratchy, distorted, my standard MK1 TT audio blows the Ask amp away, could the amp be faulty, is the amp part of the PCM satnav unit or is it separate with the PCM acting as preamp, if separate where is it situated. Regards, Rob.

The ASK amplifier is placed in the front luggage compartment, behond the carpet lid near the bottom. The most common fault is a faulty bass output, but I have seen bad mid- and tweeter outputs too. Cheers, Tore

Thanks Tore, You say the head unit delivers the pre-amp signal for mid range and base speakers to the ASK amp, does this mean the high frequency signal to the tweeters is amplified within the head unit. The Porsche number on my spec list is (490 Ask sound package), its a UK car. Regards.

As far as I know, the tweeters and mid speakers are driven directly by the head unit, and the bass and centre speakers are feeded by the ASK amplifier. As mentioned in my post above, the ASK amplifier have high level inputs, and is feeded from the four head unit speaker outputs. Cheers, Tore

Tore, you say, The amp uses the head unit speaker signals as inputs, thus a "high" level input, not line input. If the head unit is the audio source and the base/mid range sounds OK but high frequency is distorted, does this point to a speaker problem not a head unit or the Ask amp problem. If there is only one source signal fed from the head unit would not distortion appear on all frequency`s. High-Level (Speaker Level) Inputs: Speaker level inputs are commonly referred to as high-level inputs and vice versa. Speaker level inputs are used when you want to connect an amplifier to your factory radio or an aftermarket radio that does not have low-level (RCA) inputs. It allows you to use the signal coming from the speaker outputs as an input source for the amplifier. Regards, Rob.

I agree, this would point to a speaker problem. But, I find it rather unlikely that all of your mid and high range speakers have given up the ghost. It is very difficult to judge without listening to the problem. Since the same speaker signals are feeded into the ASK amp, I would guess a broken head unit output and any distortion would be appearing in the bass and centre speakers as well. But, this would depend on the tuype of fault etc. Cheers, Tore