Question about line out converter

I'm getting ready to connect an amp to my factory HU and have already bought a Scoshe line out converter from Wal Mart for $17. I just found this at Best Buy for $25 and am wondering if it's better...



What I have is just the blue converter box. For only $8 more I get this kit with the harness. I don't have much experience with audio installs, so I'm just going to be learning as I go. If the best buy kit makes it any easier at all for me it'll be worth the $8.

Thanks for any advice!

 

They are pretty much going to be the same....I am not a fan of line out converters as I have never seen one that dosent introduce alot of signal to noise esp on high power amps.

 

Also...if you do go that route...make sure you place it somewhere as to not get engine noise coming through the converter. Put it as far away as you can and insulate the wiring.

 

Thanks for that info. I don't know much about these things, just know it's my only option if I want to keep my factory HU. If a new HU didn't increase the chance of theft so much I'd get one and enjoy the better sound.

 

I'd go with the LOC versus the harness. It adds flexibility with the adjustable gains (but be careful as they tend to add a lot of noise).

Another, albeit expensive, method is the use of some of AudioControl's electronics or JL's clean sweep. AC makes the Epic, which acts as a LOC and works to counteract the stock HU's equalization. The JL Clean Sweep does the same thing, but has slightly different method of doing this. Both are good products to the best of my knowledge. However, the biggest detractor is that they both cost as much or more than a pretty nice HU.

 

Yeah I considered one of those devices to clean up the signal, but as you say they're just too expensive.

Oh also, with the Best Buy package you get the LOC box and the harness. The one I got from Wal Mart is just the box. So I'm wondering if getting the harness along with the box would make for easier installation? Or will I have to end up buying a harness anyway? I feel like I'm not making sense, but I guess that's b/c I know so little about them I don't even know how to ask questions

 

No, the harness is not a must have. It makes it a little easier and keeps you from cutting stock wires, but either way, you will be fine.