You can use one or more RCA cables to send audio signals from multiple amps to your front and rear speakers. Learn how to split RCA for multiple amps in a few simple steps.
Running your speakers with multiple amps is simple. The problem comes in when you’re trying to send one signal from the head unit to multiple amps. Fortunately, there are a few ways to split RCA for multiple amps as outlined below:
- Using RCA Splitter Cables
- The Daisy Chain Connection
- Using a Line Output Converter (LOC)
In this article, we’ll go deeper into how to split RCA signals for multiple amps. But first, ensure that your wires and splitters are well insulated to prevent electromagnetic interference. Use high-quality double-shielded RCA cables and splitters for a much better result.
A Little Information About RCA Cables and Splitters
RCA cables are some of the most popular wires used to connect audio and video devices. In car audio, they’re used to transmit signals from the head unit to the amplifier and from an external input device to the amplifier.
A good RCA cable comes with a high-quality connector material, , appropriate length, and proper shielding. Some common connector materials include copper, silver, tin, and occasionally, gold. These materials have a varying price tag but they all serve the same purpose – protect the wire from damage.
On the other hand, an RCA splitter for amp divides the input signal for all its output connectors. There exists several kinds of splitters, some featuring a 1-male to 2-female connection while others have a 1 female to 2-male kind of connection.
How To Split RCA For Multiple Amps
Technically, there are three ways of splitting the RCA signals for multiple amps. If your head unit comes with only one RCA output, you can use a single RCA Y splitter cable to connect two amps.. The splitter cable provides a new port for the amp.
Here’s how it works;
Using RCA Splitter Cables
When using RCA splitter cables, start by looking for good quality splitters. You can find a couple of these on Amazon and other retailers. The quality of the splitters matters because bad quality splitters generate bad quality sound. Nex, follow these steps:
- Unplug all the RCA connections going into the first amp.
- Next, plug the white RCA into the female end of one splitter and do the same for the red RCA but on a different female socket of a separate splitter.
- Hook the first set of RCAs from the first splitter into the first amp. The second set of RCAs goes into the second amp,
Doing this gives one several connections for all the amps that need to be connected. Remember to match the colors (i.e., red RCA goes into a red socket and white RCA goes into the white socket) to avoid confusion and potential problems with faulty wiring.
Note: Using RCA splitter cables is quite simple, provided that you get the connections right. If you’re worried about degrading the signal quality, here’s some good news for you. Using RCA splitters bears no meaningful impact on the total voltage of the signal going to your amp. This means little to no effect on the overall sound quality.
Using The Daisy Chain Connection
Daisy chain is an electronic engineering term used to refer to a system of wiring where the two or more devices are wired in a sequence. If you’re absolutely new to electronics, here is how to use the daisy chain connection when splitting RCA for multiple amps.
Setup:
- Get a male to 2 female Y splitter and create a new connection.
- The male end of the Y splitter goes into the output on one amp and the second end of the cable goes into the input of the second amp.
The same signal goes into the two or more amps.
Why Choose The Daisy Chain?
Using the daisy chain connection has several advantages, including a reduced amount of cabling since the connection is based on a series arrangement. This frees up more space for other components. With the daisy chain, you get:
- Fast data transmission between two amps
- Shorter, space-economical display port cables compared to multiple long cables.
- No cable wastage.
- Minimum investment required.
Note: The daisy chain experiences one major disadvantage; slower operation due to an increase in the number of nodes used in the connection.
Using a Line Output Converter (LOC)
Last but not least, we have the line output converter method for splitting audio signal to two amps. A line output converter is an electronic device used to convert speaker-level output signals into RCA preamp signals. It can help increase the number of RCA jacks used to connect multiple amplifiers.
A LOC contains high volt resistors and a standard transformer that works with wiring adapters to produce high-powered signals with the factory amp.
Splitting Rca Jack With LOC
A LOC helps adjust the number of RCA jacks to stereos that lack RCA preamp outputs
- Connect the head unit output to the LOC, and the LOC output will have more RCA jacks.
- Use the RCA cables to transport the signal from the LOC to the amp.
Does splitting RCA Degrade Audio?
Splitting RCA may degrade the audio quality, but not as much as you might think. Using RCA splitters divides the power among the shared amps. This division could result in a slight drop in quality when connecting to two amps. We recommend using a line output converter.
A LOC uses the head unit output as its input. This means that all the power coming from the head unit is transported into the LOC.
Also Read: 6 Ohm Vs 8 Ohm Speakers: Which is My Right Pick?
Final Word
Splitter cables, LOCs, and the daisy chain are good ways to split RCA for multiple amps.
If you’re concerned with flexibility, go for RCA splitters. If you’re looking for efficiency, use a line output converter. Although the daisy chain is in our list we don’t recommend it before you’ve tried other methods. Daisy chains are prone to electrical faults so, get an expert if you’re not sure about what you’re doing.
