Skip to main content

Nakamichi PA-100 Power Amplifier Installation

In this post will show to you my latest work on my car audio system.

The audio system on my Honda Brio is so simple. I want to keep this car as light as possible because I use this car mainly for commuting to work. For that reason, I just using the Pioneer AVH-G115DVD head unit and a pair of JBL GT7 coaxial speaker in the front channel only. With this simple audio system, is it sound good? Not really actually. It is sound metallic and thin on mid-range. Apparently this is the most today cheap car audio sounds like. Too much digital interference that suck up the soul from the music. I cannot expecting more.

So I think I want to improve it.

I still have the old-school Nakamichi PA-100 power amplifier that I think this would be sound better than the internal amplifier of the Pioneer head unit. Check it out.


The Nakamichi PA-100 here it is the older version of the PA-102. There is no difference in the amplification circuit between them. This PA-100 amplifier unit only deliver 14 watt per channel and doesn't require so much current like others amplifier. The positive power wiring in this unit is should taken from ACC power cable rather connect directly to the battery. This is to avoid too much battery drain from the amplifier circuit while the car engine is not running.

Nakamichi PA-100 is made in Japan. This is the original Nakamichi far before the acquisition to the Asian company. If you want to know deeper about the internal component of this amplifier, please check my post here.

I like the tiny size of this amplifier. This will give more flexibility to put this amplifier anywhere in the car. Like what I did now, installed this unit inside the center console. I secure the cable with cloth tape and it's really looks like the OEM installation.




So how is this amplifier sound performance?

Well, although this amplifier power output on paper is far smaller than the internal Pioneer head-unit, but the sound quality is far powerful and better.

The sound with this amplifier is smoother, especially on high frequency. No overshoot, no harshness. The mid range sound warm and far from digital analytical sound. The bass more pronounce and punchy which makes me forget this amplifier only 14 watt per channel.

I guess old Nakamichi amplifier still perform well and using this amplifier like completely like having a new audio system in my car.

Disclaimer: Any statement and photos in this article are not allowed to copy or publish without written permission from the writer. Any injury or loss from following tips in this article is not under writer responsibility.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPA1622 Vs. OPA627 High Performance Op-amps Comparison

This op-amps comparison topic is actually boring, but at the same time, many of us still curious about what others think about it. The reason is simply because of the op-amps variation are hundreds and they are depends by the implementation. The op-amps are considerably cheap and an interchangeable electronic components but they are not built for the same function. So in this discussion, I will focus on the modern Vs. vintage high performance op-amps in the simple non-inverting pre-amplifier gain stage.
2 comments
Read more

Vintage Multibit R2R DAC Tier List

At the very beginning of this year, I committed to explore the best multi-bit R2R DAC. This is simply because I have plenty of the resources (from broken old unit CD player of course) and ability to build them up. If you think this kind a recycle from old un-used unit to become something useful, than I should stated myself giving contribute for greener world:) After all DAC that I built in this year, I think it is better for me to list them up again in one single page like this. Then I will rank them up in a simple tier list. The reason for this, so you all know what my opinion about of those vintage multibit R2R DAC especially in the sound quality.
7 comments
Read more

PCM56 R2R Non Oversampling DAC Built

From early this year, I am start to playing a lot with the multibit DAC. They are from Sony CDP TDA1541A here , Nakamichi DAC-101 dual TDA1541S1 here , Clarion DRX-9255EXL PCM1702 here  and Clarion HX-D1 PCM1704 here . What I said playing with them is actually more suitable words because none of them are built by myself. I only study and exploring those unit then make some upgrade especially on the power supply components, signal capacitors upgrade, and bypassing the unused internal circuit for more clearer yet natural sound quality. This upgrade make a lot improvement compare to the first time I listen from it and I can really enjoy what the designer from each manufacture deliver the sound they would like to perform in those units. Those said units are categorized as a parts of hi-end audio system and I really now familiar with the sound signature from each of them. But to be honest, I am not satisfy yet with this condition. Because none of them is built by myself from ground up. ...
10 comments
Read more