Upgrading standard amp to premium amp

lannypoffo · 09-28-2008, 08:00 PM

This will be my project thread as I research performing this upgrade. I will not rest until I find out the answer. I have researched almost every BMW forum there is on this topic.

I have the USA "hi-fi" amp, which is the weaker amp of the two. (150W)
I want the premium amp, which is twice as powerful as the previous. (300W)

The point of this thread is to determine whether this is a direct plug in drop in upgrade. This will involve bringing the fiber into the MOST bus which I already have experience with.

To get to your amp.

-Remove your middle trunk floor
-Remove the plastic cover around your trunk lock area. This is two screws and two push pins. Remove the rubber seal from the top of it to easily pull it out.
-Remove the left side trunk cover as seen below. This is just 3 push pins to get it out.
-Remove a little amp cover tray and then you see what I see:

The velcro covered wire bundle is the MOST bus connector for the premium amp. This is a good sign, but it does not mean the rest of the car will be compatible.

I then pulled out the amp which is seen here:

Part number for the weaker standard amp:

Here you can see the SIRIUS tuner I recently added to my MOST bus in the left compartment. You can see the Bluetooth box on the right, but my car does not have Bluetooth. I could add the Bluetooth to my MOST bus if I wanted, but I would be missing all the other parts anyway. (Mic, etc).

Before everyone says to go aftermarket, I have zero interest. I spent over $5000 on my last car with stereo experimentation and I'm very sick of it. I have had amplifiers ranging from TRU, McIntosh, Brax, ARC, all the way down to Alpine PDX series, the lowest end amp I tried in that particular car. I have been through the whole "audiophile" stage of my life. I want a simple plug in which will sound anything better than what I have now.

My goal will be to find info on whether this project is possible. I guess a good place to start would be finding a part number for the Premium amp and seeing how much it might cost me. I'm sure its over $500.

atr_hugo · 09-28-2008, 08:24 PM

Lanny - looking forward to more! Thanks for posting this.

Bye Bye GTI · 09-28-2008, 10:32 PM

Heres the link to the part number for the Top Hi FI amp

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...12&hg=65&fg=25

Send a note to Technic. I think that he is a member here - he posts alot on e90 if he's not here. I believe that he posted once about being able to change a setting on the back of the radio to force a Most enabled radio to output analog signals. Maybe you can do this process in reverse.

lannypoffo · 09-29-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bye bye GTI

Heres the link to the part number for the Top Hi FI amp

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...12&hg=65&fg=25

Send a note to Technic. I think that he is a member here - he posts alot on e90 if he's not here. I believe that he posted once about being able to change a setting on the back of the radio to force a Most enabled radio to output analog signals. Maybe you can do this process in reverse.

Thanks. The harness on that thing looks different to me.. This might require a whole new harness. I need a real picture of one to find out for sure.

TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER
Up to 09/2008
Part number: 65129177752

lannypoffo · 09-29-2008, 09:10 AM

Superceded part number.. Found a source... ECS tuning...

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...bmodel=&engine=

Genuine BMW - #65129180183 - TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPL ES#245603

$1133.02

Ummm.. this project is over.. I wouldn't pay $1133 in a million years for something that prob won't work anyway.

I'll shift my focus to the Blaupunkt PnP 5 channel amp now, which will cost more like $450-$500.

Temple · 09-29-2008, 11:57 AM

What happened to the last post about the Alpine OEM amp? Was trying to looking up info on the amp but the post is now gone...

lannypoffo · 09-29-2008, 12:10 PM

he deleted it!!

I have the PDF on my desktop..

http://74.220.202.31/~bellbott/AlpineBMW.pdf

Temple · 09-29-2008, 12:44 PM

That would be great...Thanks!

lannypoffo · 09-29-2008, 01:01 PM

I think you were talking about a different post dude...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15775

Temple · 09-29-2008, 01:16 PM

Yup...still asleep at the keyboard here. Thanks...

WhiteOne · 09-29-2008, 01:50 PM

$875 sounds like a pretty good deal for the amp and speakers.

thurst0509 · 09-29-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

$875 sounds like a pretty good deal for the amp and speakers.

Perhaps. Remember though that the $875 is an "upgrade cost", not the full cost of all the components. The cost of the stock amp certainly isn't $0, so the option should really be in the ballpark of the difference between the two amps + their respective speaker sets. No idea what that price difference is though.

I was looking forward to reading about this project! Too bad that the hifi amp is so expensive...

Temple · 09-29-2008, 04:32 PM

I have hopes that the Alpine OEM setup will work and not cost all that much. One thing I do not like from what I have read thus far is it looks like you have to re-run a new wire harness. Wonder if the Alpine has DSP built in like the OEM AMP. Would be cool if you could just order the AMP alone. I would rather be able to pick my own door components.

Red135 · 09-29-2008, 05:45 PM

Ask Dan @ United about the Premium amp.

Temple · 09-29-2008, 11:04 PM

Wish the Alpine OEM amp was 5 channel. My quest goes on. Seems to be really hard to find a high end 5ch amp that is small. Would love to find a 5ch amp that would fit in the OEM amps location.

DTNJNQ · 09-30-2008, 12:58 AM

here's the installation instruction for the OEM Alpine amp and speakers for anyone that's interested

Endre · 09-30-2008, 10:45 AM

what about the Blaupunkt 555 pnp? 5ch plug and pray amp? Its relativly small aswell.

Mad Dragon · 09-30-2008, 10:55 AM

Don't waste your time or money with that Alpine amp. It's not for the US market.

lannypoffo · 09-30-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endre

what about the Blaupunkt 555 pnp? 5ch plug and pray amp? Its relativly small aswell.

I looked at that one a bit. The 5 channel version is a LOT bigger than the stock amp. But its a nice plug and play option using all factory harnesses. (Including the harnesses you have to buy)

Temple · 10-14-2008, 05:20 PM

So after talking to a dealer they say that replacing the lower end amp with a premium amp would be a pain in the ass. It would need a new harness and may not even work with the head unit. I will just wait to see what BSW comes up with. My guess is the amp from them will be around $400 - $600. Wonder what the output will be.

lannypoffo · 10-14-2008, 05:26 PM

thanks for the info. i know i already have the harness. most dealers wont even know as much as people around here.

Bye Bye GTI · 10-14-2008, 05:47 PM

last time I was looking on BSW's website they were using rockford amps.

The only thing you need to look for in an aftermarket amp is that it accepts balanced differential inputs. (if it doesn't then you need a line level converter)

I am going to use a re-q 5 connected to an alpine pdx 5. (re-q adds back the bass that the head unit cuts off at a upper volume levels which makes setting your sub gain easier.)

09-28-2008, 08:00 PM	#1
lannypoffo Lieutenant 20 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1)	Upgrading standard amp to premium amp This will be my project thread as I research performing this upgrade. I will not rest until I find out the answer. I have researched almost every BMW forum there is on this topic. I have the USA "hi-fi" amp, which is the weaker amp of the two. (150W) I want the premium amp, which is twice as powerful as the previous. (300W) The point of this thread is to determine whether this is a direct plug in drop in upgrade. This will involve bringing the fiber into the MOST bus which I already have experience with. To get to your amp. -Remove your middle trunk floor -Remove the plastic cover around your trunk lock area. This is two screws and two push pins. Remove the rubber seal from the top of it to easily pull it out. -Remove the left side trunk cover as seen below. This is just 3 push pins to get it out. -Remove a little amp cover tray and then you see what I see: The velcro covered wire bundle is the MOST bus connector for the premium amp. This is a good sign, but it does not mean the rest of the car will be compatible. I then pulled out the amp which is seen here: Part number for the weaker standard amp: Here you can see the SIRIUS tuner I recently added to my MOST bus in the left compartment. You can see the Bluetooth box on the right, but my car does not have Bluetooth. I could add the Bluetooth to my MOST bus if I wanted, but I would be missing all the other parts anyway. (Mic, etc). Before everyone says to go aftermarket, I have zero interest. I spent over $5000 on my last car with stereo experimentation and I'm very sick of it. I have had amplifiers ranging from TRU, McIntosh, Brax, ARC, all the way down to Alpine PDX series, the lowest end amp I tried in that particular car. I have been through the whole "audiophile" stage of my life. I want a simple plug in which will sound anything better than what I have now. My goal will be to find info on whether this project is possible. I guess a good place to start would be finding a part number for the Premium amp and seeing how much it might cost me. I'm sure its over $500. Last edited by lannypoffo; 02-09-2012 at 08:55 AM..
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09-28-2008, 10:32 PM	#3
Bye Bye GTI Private First Class 8 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	Heres the link to the part number for the Top Hi FI amp http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...12&hg=65&fg=25 Send a note to Technic. I think that he is a member here - he posts alot on e90 if he's not here. I believe that he posted once about being able to change a setting on the back of the radio to force a Most enabled radio to output analog signals. Maybe you can do this process in reverse.
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09-29-2008, 09:10 AM	#5
lannypoffo Lieutenant 20 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1)	Superceded part number.. Found a source... ECS tuning... http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...bmodel=&engine= Genuine BMW - #65129180183 - TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPL ES#245603 $1133.02 Ummm.. this project is over.. I wouldn't pay $1133 in a million years for something that prob won't work anyway. I'll shift my focus to the Blaupunkt PnP 5 channel amp now, which will cost more like $450-$500.
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09-29-2008, 12:10 PM	#7
lannypoffo Lieutenant 20 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1)	he deleted it!! I have the PDF on my desktop.. http://74.220.202.31/~bellbott/AlpineBMW.pdf
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09-29-2008, 12:44 PM	#8
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	That would be great...Thanks!
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09-28-2008, 08:24 PM	#2
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Lanny - looking forward to more! Thanks for posting this.
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09-29-2008, 11:57 AM	#6
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	What happened to the last post about the Alpine OEM amp? Was trying to looking up info on the amp but the post is now gone...
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09-29-2008, 01:01 PM	#9
lannypoffo Lieutenant 20 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1)	I think you were talking about a different post dude... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15775
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09-29-2008, 01:16 PM	#10
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Yup...still asleep at the keyboard here. Thanks...
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09-29-2008, 01:50 PM	#11
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	$875 sounds like a pretty good deal for the amp and speakers.
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09-29-2008, 04:32 PM	#13
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I have hopes that the Alpine OEM setup will work and not cost all that much. One thing I do not like from what I have read thus far is it looks like you have to re-run a new wire harness. Wonder if the Alpine has DSP built in like the OEM AMP. Would be cool if you could just order the AMP alone. I would rather be able to pick my own door components.
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09-29-2008, 05:45 PM	#14
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	Ask Dan @ United about the Premium amp. __________________ AMS, Berk Technology, aFe, ER
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09-29-2008, 11:04 PM	#15
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Wish the Alpine OEM amp was 5 channel. My quest goes on. Seems to be really hard to find a high end 5ch amp that is small. Would love to find a 5ch amp that would fit in the OEM amps location.
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09-30-2008, 10:45 AM	#17
Endre Lieutenant 17 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Molde iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 120d [10.00]	what about the Blaupunkt 555 pnp? 5ch plug and pray amp? Its relativly small aswell. __________________ 120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp) Track and Autox
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09-30-2008, 10:55 AM	#18
Mad Dragon . 27 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Don't waste your time or money with that Alpine amp. It's not for the US market.
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10-14-2008, 05:20 PM	#20
Temple Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	So after talking to a dealer they say that replacing the lower end amp with a premium amp would be a pain in the ass. It would need a new harness and may not even work with the head unit. I will just wait to see what BSW comes up with. My guess is the amp from them will be around $400 - $600. Wonder what the output will be.
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10-14-2008, 05:26 PM	#21
lannypoffo Lieutenant 20 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1)	thanks for the info. i know i already have the harness. most dealers wont even know as much as people around here.
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10-14-2008, 05:47 PM	#22
Bye Bye GTI Private First Class 8 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	last time I was looking on BSW's website they were using rockford amps. The only thing you need to look for in an aftermarket amp is that it accepts balanced differential inputs. (if it doesn't then you need a line level converter) I am going to use a re-q 5 connected to an alpine pdx 5. (re-q adds back the bass that the head unit cuts off at a upper volume levels which makes setting your sub gain easier.)
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