question about stock F-RS head unit
 

lemme preface this by saying this is my first time dealing with any of this so please correct me if i say something stupid.

gonna be installing an amp and sub soon. to connect the amp i'll be using the RCA output of the stock HU. is this RCA output from the HU line level or speaker level? from what i understand, i'll need an amp that can handle speaker level if that is what the output of the HU is.

Hey, an audio question I think I can answer!
The stock deck (really stock, not even the Bespoke) has speaker level outputs, and also a subwoofer RCA that you can toggle on or off in your deck settings.

'Ordinarily', the conversion from speaker level output to RCA is done with 'line out converters', but some say they can add noise to your system.

I picked up a JL Audio XD400.4 that accepts speaker level input, except doesn't give me an adapter to do so. The manual specifically says not to use a line-out-converter... to splice RCAs off the speaker outs of the deck. I was prepared to have to try some splicing myself, when I stumbled on these:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/.../10141548.aspx (then, all I'd need are female-female RCA connects)
JL Audio has something similar too, in these:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...LRAIC2-SW.html

I think that some of the Alpine 4-channel amps list speaker-level input, and even give you the adapter to do it... check out the third picture on this one:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...e-MRX-F30.html

I'm just going to power a couple of JL C2-650s with channels 1 & 2, and bridge channels 3 & 4 for a sub. I'm okay with deck power for those nuggets we call rear speakers.

FYI, I plan on later switching up to the Pioneer DEH-80PRS... when someone makes a decent & readily available single din mounting kit, that is.

Hope my rambling helped... it's exactly what I've been researching, and was eager to share. :)

thanks for the reply. i understand that the HU has speaker level outputs but i'm specifically asking about the RCA output. is that line level or speaker level? my confusion stems from this page in the manual:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/71070185/misc/hupic.png

the pic shows it as subwoofer output but also mentions connecting it to an amp so is the output preamplified?

I think the confusion there is that they refer to the 'deck amplified' outputs from the deck to the front in rears in one statement, then refer to the sub out in the next comment.

The RCA output to the subwoofer needs to go to an amp.

I think the other comments are there to inform that:
• connecting a sub won't stop the internal amp sending it's power to fronts & rears
• the level to the sub is constant, and not affected by the fader control
• (the caution on the left) appears to just warn changing out any stock speaker, should you upgrade the amp.

I hope I answered the question.