jmthunderbirdturbo
jmthunderbirdturbo HalfDork
11/2/15 7:37 p.m.

evening hive,

i have a simple one for the audio folks. i have a 3.5MM cable ran to the inputs on the back of the radio in my car. i use this to play music off my phone. its not loud enough. the radio has a 0-40 volume range. regular radio i run at about 15-22. cds the same. DVDs are usually lower, 10-15 (there's a DVD player and a rear screen.) this is all in an 06 Honda odyssey, btw. but with my phone on max, and the volume on 40, its JUST enough to hear over normal highway noise. i need like 10 more ticks. so my question is this: is there a simple 12v amp that can go inline with dual RCA inputs to amplify the incoming signal a bit? i need like a 15% increase. i don't know what the max output of a galaxy s5 is, but that what im using. my wifes S4 is no better. buddies i-phone 5 is no better.

TL/DR: i need an amp for RCA auxiliary inputs to make my phone louder.

phone-> 3.5mm jack-> splitter to dual RCAs-> small 12v amp-> rca inputs on stereo.

thanks!

-J0N

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
11/2/15 7:41 p.m.

Has to do with the signal. Your phone isn't pushing the same signal physical media is. I have the same problem

travellering
travellering Reader
11/2/15 7:46 p.m.

Tried an fm transmitter perchance?

jmthunderbirdturbo
jmthunderbirdturbo HalfDork
11/2/15 7:48 p.m.

This?

http://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Line-Level-Amplifier-Adjustable/dp/B00I01ZNUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446515202&sr=8-1&keywords=RCA+audio+amplifier

jmthunderbirdturbo
jmthunderbirdturbo HalfDork
11/2/15 7:49 p.m.

@travellering - no, it has to be a audio jack plugged in. columbus is too 'noisy' to use an FM transmitter.

-J0N

BradLTL
BradLTL GRM+ Memberand Dork
11/2/15 8:01 p.m.

Is it an iPhone? Make sure the "headphone" volume is up. My phone volume can be maxed but the headphones will be whatever level I last listened to them. Turning up the volume while the Aux cable is in and music is playing adjusts the headphones level.

travellering
travellering Reader
11/2/15 8:13 p.m.

I make no promises as to the quality of this item, since the name alone is pretty dumb:

Boostaroo

ihayes
ihayes New Reader
11/2/15 9:13 p.m.

This is probably a shot in the dark, but in my Mini there is a aux volume control on the stock radio itself. Maybe something similar on yours?

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic UltimaDork
11/2/15 9:21 p.m.

You might want to check if the radio might have a aux input level adjustment. Also check the headphone jack volume is actually up as mentioned.

jmthunderbirdturbo
jmthunderbirdturbo HalfDork
11/2/15 10:01 p.m.

audio jack volume is correct, and the factory radio does not have an auxiliary input adjustment.

thanks

-J0N

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic UltimaDork
11/3/15 12:59 a.m.

Ok, same result with multiple sources kinda brings you to a head unit, or a bad patch cable (ohm it out, check for continuity and shorts, insulation resistance should be megaohms).

There do exist "headphone amps" but that's mainly a audiophile and studio item, will cost as much as a decent head unit.

noodle
noodle GRM+ Memberand Reader
11/3/15 7:02 a.m.

http://www.amazon.com/Audiophile-headphone-amplifier-quality-parts-Altoids/dp/B00GPV7AH4

I made something very similar to this about 10 years ago. My cheap MP3 player didn't have enough "umph"

Home grown version http://www.instructables.com/id/Altoids-Amp/

RossD
RossD UltimaDork
11/3/15 7:39 a.m.

Have you tried one of the volume boost apps?

Rusnak_322
Rusnak_322 Dork
11/3/15 11:26 a.m.

the iPhone has a volume limit in the settings under Music. you can lock in the max volume lower then the loudest possible. not sure on the android, but maybe check there before buying anything?

Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock
Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock UltimaDork
11/3/15 11:29 a.m.

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E6-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005HJWWW8

I'm thinking of trying one of these for boosting up the speakers I just put in my helmet that I can't hear.

Harvey
Harvey GRM+ Memberand Dork
11/3/15 11:55 a.m.

Is this a thing on your phone? The "Adapt Sound" feature?

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/402054-what-headphones-work-best-s5-same-low-audio-output.html

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