Zuned my garage, backyard, PT cruiser, etc.

Icy Mt. · 08-15-2008, 07:24 AM

I have created yet another setup utilizing my Zune as the front end of any awesome portable stereo setup.

Zune 80gb
Coiled Extension Cable 6'
Boostaroo #T613 Portable Headphone Audio Amplifier & Splitter
3.5mm to RCA jack splitter cable
Carver M-400t, 200W/channel Audio Amplifier
Pioneer CS series speakers w/ 10" woofer (100W)

The Boostaroo was $25 at RadioShack (www.boostaroo.com). It is a nice 3 amplifier (one per output headphone jack) that doubles the audio output from the Zune. The Zune just didn't have enough power to really run the Carver. I picked up the Carver for $300 on epray. The M-400t is 7"x7"x7" and weighs 14 pounds. The Pioneers are only 100W but they are very efficient and the woofers have been professionally refoamed.

I have the booster wire-tied to the back of the amp so it is all one piece. Very portable and easy to connect. To move from place to place, I grab the bundle of electronics, load two (relatively light and small) speakers and I'm off. I have a 1000W AC inverter in my PT Cruiser so I can play this rig anywhere and it takes about 3 minutes to convert the setup from my garage stereo to my car stereo.

Plenty loud enough to pi$$ off all the neighbors from any backyard or entertain a couple hundred people at a race or campground.

Dizzy · 08-15-2008, 08:56 AM

Nice dude

I attempted to build a portable speaker system with car speakers but fell short when it came to splitting the input.

Also, I'm digging that boostaroo.

jacecat · 08-15-2008, 08:57 AM

Awsome! That must've been pretty hard to figure out!

Icy Mt. · 08-15-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Nice dude

I attempted to build a portable speaker system with car speakers but fell short when it came to splitting the input.

Also, I'm digging that boostaroo.

The Boostaroo is awesome! Low Total Harmonic Distortion (noise) for such a cheapie. The Zune output just doesn't have enough juice to drive the low impedance inputs like decent headphones or the AUX inputs on most amplifiers.

Your new boombox= Zune->Boosteroo->Battery/Wallwart Computer speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacecat

Awsome! That must've been pretty hard to figure out!

Not really. You need the 3.5mm to RCA cable ($5 @ Target, Wal-mart, etc.) to plug your Zune into anything really powerful. I started with just Zune->Carver->Speakers but not enough power to make conversation impossible. I thought I would probably have to make a headphone amp on my own until I googled "headphone amp".

There is a nifty little headphone amp designed by Chu Moy that you can make yourself for $25-$50 depending on power and spiffiness. Now that would be hard to figure out.

I'll be playing with my setup this weekend. I'll stuff it in the back of the PT and take a couple of pictures if anyone is interested.

08-15-2008, 07:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Icy Mt. Jr. Zuner Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 31 Reputation: 25	Zuned my garage, backyard, PT cruiser, etc. I have created yet another setup utilizing my Zune as the front end of any awesome portable stereo setup. Zune 80gb Coiled Extension Cable 6' Boostaroo #T613 Portable Headphone Audio Amplifier & Splitter 3.5mm to RCA jack splitter cable Carver M-400t, 200W/channel Audio Amplifier Pioneer CS series speakers w/ 10" woofer (100W) The Boostaroo was $25 at RadioShack (www.boostaroo.com). It is a nice 3 amplifier (one per output headphone jack) that doubles the audio output from the Zune. The Zune just didn't have enough power to really run the Carver. I picked up the Carver for $300 on epray. The M-400t is 7"x7"x7" and weighs 14 pounds. The Pioneers are only 100W but they are very efficient and the woofers have been professionally refoamed. I have the booster wire-tied to the back of the amp so it is all one piece. Very portable and easy to connect. To move from place to place, I grab the bundle of electronics, load two (relatively light and small) speakers and I'm off. I have a 1000W AC inverter in my PT Cruiser so I can play this rig anywhere and it takes about 3 minutes to convert the setup from my garage stereo to my car stereo. Plenty loud enough to pi$$ off all the neighbors from any backyard or entertain a couple hundred people at a race or campground.

08-15-2008, 08:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dizzy Joe the Plumber Moderator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,729 Reputation: 348	Nice dude I attempted to build a portable speaker system with car speakers but fell short when it came to splitting the input. Also, I'm digging that boostaroo. __________________ Stop activity immediately if you feel short of breath, faint or dizzy, experience chest pain, or profuse perspiration. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-15-2008, 08:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
jacecat Experienced Zuner Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Here Posts: 134 Reputation: 11	Awsome! That must've been pretty hard to figure out! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. -Psalm 27:1- The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

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