Hi,

I've just ordered my Empeg (and I can't wait)! I now need to get an amp fitted to my car, a '94 Astra. I'm in no way an audiophile, nor do I wish to spend buckets on my system - I just want something I can listen to! At the moment I'm using the factory-fitted speakers, and they are adequate (especially since I intend to trade the car within the next six months).

My local car audio dealer told me I'd need a small amp since I'm using 40W factory speakers, and suggested a Kenwood KAC-648 at £176. Is this a good idea, or can someone recommend a better one? Would I be safe with a bigger amp - I'd probably put some proper speakers in my next car, but there seems little point in doing so with this one.

He also estimated 3 hours for the fitting, at a cost of £75 plus VAT - again, is this realistic? It seemed about right to me (especially since I could see it taking me at least twice as long).

Finally, can anyone recommend a dealer in Berkshire - Reading or Bracknell area?

Many thanks,
Bryan.

As I've always said.. you've got a german car (never mind the "vauxhall" brand.. it's german-engineered and designed)
So, go for Blaupunkt stuff. It's the best match for german cars! And they have special-fit speakers for Opels, VWs and Mercedes... Get a decent four-way amp, some good factory replacement speakers and, if you're not an audiophile, and it all gets properly installed, it will be the last thing you'll need (of course with the adition of an Empeg).
Will your next car be a german engineered too? or you'll go for something different? anyway, good luck and feel free to ask about Blau Stuff

Blau(punkt) stuff is usually quite good. But there are some other brands with high quality - Kicker for example or have a look at special sales (I got a very good amp (usual cost about $700 for 50% off))

Generally - even if you are not an audiophile I'd recommend to spend some bucks in your amp and not buy the cheapest one - cause you only need to buy it once - usually it doesn't break and you'll have it for a long time. And there's a difference between cheap(low quality) and more expensive(high quality) amps - even for non audiophiles. And I think if you hear the sound from a good amp you'll like it. (the same thing for the speakers - good speakers are not that expensive)

I'd recommend a 4 channel amp cause as a car-audio-dealer said - high quality 4 channel amps have nearly the same price as high quality 2 channel amps.

Have a thought about spending some more bucks and you'll get a really very good sound out of your empeg!
(I prepared my car with a quite cheap 5 channel amp (1 separate channel for sub) but as I installed my Mk2 I was not very glad with the sound. So I bought a better amp (like I said above) and connected it - and I was totally surprised! The sound was really much clearer and better and even more powerful)

Another thing to say: Speak with you dealer - Maybe you could test some amps (wire the through the air) before buying them. Then you'll hear the difference!
The big deal on installing a car hifi is usually putting the cables somewhere you can't see them and connecting the head-unit. The amp itself is really easy to replace - just unscrew the power and speaker connectors and it's ready to be replaced.

TeeMcBee
Got my Mk2! # 080000143

Berkshire Car Sounds (BCS) are installing my player and an amp on saturday. Their one of our customers and do all our alarms/stereos etc... Their at 11-13, St Peters Road, Reading. The guy you want to speak to is Richard on 0118 9662020.

I'm have an astra too and I'm changing car in the next 3 months so, I spoke to richard and we discussed my new car and what I would want in there cos there was no point buying a crappy amp only to have to replace it in a few months.

Call Richard and talk to him about it, by the time you get it fitted he'll have done mine. They installed a Mark I last year aswell.

Tell him Bill from Triad put you in touch.

Rgds

Bill

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Empeg MK II Owner SN: 118
(Owner of too Many Toys, and a large Debt)

Many thanks for your replies and advice.

I'll pop in to Berkshire Car Sounds on my way home this evening (if I get away at a sensible time).

Now I just need to get my hands on the Empeg itself... I placed my order on Friday - can't be long now, surely!

Bryan.

Yay! Got my Empeg this morning!

Thanks for the suggestion of Berkshire Car Sounds - they were far more help than the other place I'd tried. Now I've just got to get it booked in for fitting!

Bryan.
(who has the odd feeling that he'll be leaving work early this afternoon to play with his new toy!)


Mark 2 #080000515
12GB Blue

Mines now fitted and it sounds great.... BCS were impressed too.....

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MK II, (Blue but should be Amber) SN: 118