mperl93

Has anyone added line level outputs from command? If so was the sound quality better then using a converter?

thanks,
Mike

scorchie

Yes. Yes (flatter sound, less noise).

-s-

jello2594

in my 2004 CLK500, with Comand, installed by Steve, how do I find these line level wires? Are they balanced or unbalanced?

scorchie

You ADD them (read the original post!).

On the speaker outsputs, you can get balanced output from the COMAND with some work.

-s-

mperl93

Is the chip that you add the wire to easily accessible?

scorchie

Once you get the COMAND apart, everything is easy to access. I wired them to the board, not the chip.

-s-

mperl93

Do you have any tips on how to do it or should I just look up the spec for the amplifier chip and follow the traces? Do you have any pictures of where you added them?

thanks,
Mike

rgiorgio

Just go to the amplifier in the trunk. From there use an Audio Control LC6. Take the high level from the factory amp and put them into the LC6. This piece is a high quality High / Low converter made with factory systems in mind. Especially Mercedes and BMW in mind. JL Audio also came out with a similar piece called the Cleansweep if I remember correctly. The LC6 will run you $150 retail and you won't have to do a thing to your factory radio or COMAND.

Good Luck

SUNILP

you can tie the lc6 directly into the rear of the comand also bypassing the amp all together. The lc6 is a very nice unit.

mperl93

I don't have the bose setup not that that really matters but what is the point of using the LC6 when you can just add the line level outputs from the command unit. I am not worried about damaging the unit by adding the outputs I just don't have it out of the car yet so I want to know how easy they are to add. The LC6 also is more than I need. I only need 1 set of line level outputs to feed my amp.

rgiorgio

Your factory amp is in the trunk. The LC6 is a nice, easy and very clean install. It will also give you better sound quality with less hassle. The shorter the run, the better. Even if you add high level to your COMAND, you will still have to convert it somewhere even if it is at the amp which will probably be in the trunk, so then you have to run the high level all the way back to the trunk. It is already there in your factory amp. If you like the idea of toying with your COMAND, best of luck, but it is totally not necessary.

scorchie

Ignore the detractors... you will never get the improved sound quality of adding line level outputs any other way. No matter how good the LC6 is (and I am a big Audio Control fan), it cannot make up for the crummy amplifier chip in the COMAND which adds significant distortion and even more hiss.

And definitely ignore the advice of the person suggesting that you are adding "high level outputs" and you'll have to convert them again somewhere. Sheesh.

Sorry that I don't have any tips or pictures. I was working on adding illumination controls and just did that at the same time. I eventually took it out again after trying it out.

-s-

mperl93

For those that don't know it the non bose system in C-class does not have an amp on the trunck, the head unit powers the speakers.

Scorchie,

I am very familiar with high end car audio and have been working with it for many years now but never with factory head units. Thanks for the advice. I will be adding the line level output from the command. I was just trying to find out what I am in for once I take it apart. I will let you know how I make out once it is done. The cheap line level converter I currently have really sucks and I can't wait to get it out.

I have rockford fosgate audio file 6.5's in the front doors and 5.25's in the rear doors and 2 punch HX2 8" subs powered by soundstream reference amps. This equipment comes from a previous install.

What were you trying to do with the lighting?

thearle

I assume the outputs are obtained from the right spot after the preamp.

Anybody wants to address output impedance by running parallel outputs without a load matching circuit?

Or is that even a concern?

scorchie

It's a valid concern. However, careful amplifier selection (or first feeding into something with a good preamplifier circuit such as an active crossover) that has a very high impedence input will have minimal impact.

-s-

rgiorgio

Sorry for the confusion. I assumed you had an amplifier in the trunk. Just so you know, all Mercedes factory head units only put out 1 volt. This is horrible for sound quality and loudness. You want to see 4 volts. You can take the high levels you are adding and put them to a balanced line drive. Then go from the line driver with low level outputs to the amplifer. This will help tremendously. My favorite is Audio Control's DQX. It is a 3rd Ocave EQ with a balanced line driver built in. There are a lot of line drivers out there and they are not expensive. Memphis makes a nice one and I think it is only $50. My favorite which I will be using shortly is Zapco's Symbilink. This one piece takes your high level outputs and turns them into 6 volt, firewire connections. Good luck in your pursuit of better sound quality in a Mercedes Benz.

mperl93

Scorchie,

How did you add the low level outputs? I tried adding them to the input pins on the amp chip but they have a DC offset on them from the amp chip. Is there another place on the circuit board that I can tap into?

scorchie

There IS another place... but I don't remember offhand (just like I don't bother to remember undocumented fuse locations). I will have to look at my notes on this. I'll try to find them tomorrow.

-s-