SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: 2005 SL500 R230 aftermarket Amp

Old May 13, 2020 | 10:39 PM
  #1  
Adrian052's Avatar
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From: Virginia
2009 Sl550, 2009 335d, 2005 Corvette C6, 2017 Armada, 2023 Santa Fe
2005 SL500 R230 aftermarket Amp

So, I’ve been looking on here and looking at decoders.

If I were to get a decoder and hook my Fiber into it could I conceivably tie a new amp into my Bose system?

The part would be this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273605472993

Has anyone done this?

I have a aftermarket HU already installed as well.

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Old May 14, 2020 | 06:00 PM
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Current: '07 SL550 & '14 GLK350. Previously owned: '06 ML350, '05 SL500, '99 ML320 & '98 SLK230 (RI
If by AMP, you mean replace the BOSE Amplifier, the answer is no. Thee adapters will convert the analog (line Level out) output of your new head unit (Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine, etc) to a digital, MOST compatible, signal, so you can retain your existing BOSE or Harman/Kardon amp and speakers.

Yes, I have done it, but I used the AVIN adapter, as the other ones on eBay or from Xtrons seem to have issues. I have been using my setup with a Kenwood HU for the past year without a single glitch.
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Old May 14, 2020 | 06:03 PM
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Yes that is what I meant. I have the Avin for my HU, but I am trying to see if I could somehow convert the fiber at the amp. This would allow me to add a new amp and piggy back with the speaker wiring.

it seems like adding another decoder would work in the same way?
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Old May 15, 2020 | 01:23 AM
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Current: '07 SL550 & '14 GLK350. Previously owned: '06 ML350, '05 SL500, '99 ML320 & '98 SLK230 (RI
If you're going to replace the AMP, why bother with the Avin at all, you head unit is analog output so add an analog amp and speakers. You could theoretically use the Bose speakers, but from what I understand they are an oddball impedance that would sound way off on a normal amp.

On the other side of the coin, the reason most people opt for the optical converter is to keep the amp and speakers. The prevailing view is that the AMP and speakr qualit is more than adequate in this car, and considering the sound system was tuned for the car's acoustics, you can't do much better in sound quality.

yes, you can get a much "louder" output, and get that "thumper" feel, but if you're looking for good clean sound, the Bose or the HK amps are very good to start with.
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Old May 15, 2020 | 10:26 PM
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2009 Sl550, 2009 335d, 2005 Corvette C6, 2017 Armada, 2023 Santa Fe
You do have a point. Are the door speakers fairly easy to replace with standard sized speakers?

Are the speaker wires fiber or can I grab them at the existing amp?

I would assume I would just need a 5 channel amp?
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Old May 16, 2020 | 05:59 PM
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Current: '07 SL550 & '14 GLK350. Previously owned: '06 ML350, '05 SL500, '99 ML320 & '98 SLK230 (RI
I have no idea how easy it is to replace the speakers, but as far as wiring is concerned, they are regular wires. The MOST fiber optics interconnect the Comand, NAV unit, CD Changer, Telephony module and SAT Radio to the AWG Gateway, but the actual output from the amp to the speakers is analog.

FYI, the rear speakers in the car are very small, and are intended primarily as surround fill-in, they're no intended to be driven at full volume. The center speaker in the dash, under the center dash clock is also used primarily for voice. When using a phone, or when play a DVD audio with a center channel output. The subwoofer is in the passenger footwell.
How all this works together is based on the Comand functions for surround sound decoding and the switching it does when you select different listening modes or when you use the built in phone. Once the Comand is removed, the amp cannot implement surround sound or use the center speaker. If you want to use the rear speakers as well as center channel with an aftermarket setup, you'll have to use an aftermarket amp as well. But be careful when driving the center channel and rear speakers, or you can blow them

Last edited by Dudeman; May 16, 2020 at 06:01 PM.
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