Mach 460 system compatability with aftermarket head unit.
- Thread starter search4aztlan
- Start date
5.0_GT_kid
20+ Year Stangneter 
From what I understand to use an aftermarket head unit with the Mach 460 you have to bypass the amps, 
thereby making the whole sound system crap really.
5.0 Mustang and Super Fords mag did a article about this, and they said and I quote "Other than directly replacing the speakers, there is little you can do to the system without bypassing the amps."
Ford didn't want that system messed with.
:OT: If you decide to get a new system, keep me in mind, I might be looking to buy a Mach 460
thereby making the whole sound system crap really. 5.0 Mustang and Super Fords mag did a article about this, and they said and I quote "Other than directly replacing the speakers, there is little you can do to the system without bypassing the amps."
Ford didn't want that system messed with.
:OT: If you decide to get a new system, keep me in mind, I might be looking to buy a Mach 460
5.0_GT_kid
20+ Year Stangneter
IT'S YOU! I'M BUYING YOUR CAR! 
Wow man I was looking at the avatar of the white Mustang and then saw the profile. Hahaha You need to post some pics of the new stang buddy.
Oh and I forgot you like the 94's sound system better, guess I'm not looking for a Mach then
Car Nut
Founding Member
I have an Alpine HU that is connected to the Mach 460. All of the amps are connected as well. FYI: If you go to a retail place like Circuit City or Best Buy, they won't know how to include the amps which largely are dependent on your HU (you need 4V pre-outs). 4V keeps the static away and properly powers them. I've got no static here at all.
The downside:
Even though my upper and mid range sound much better, clearer, louder, you will not get the bass that used to come out of the Mach system. However, this can be solved by adding your favorite 10" or 12" sub along with a custom box and mono amp. This takes care of all the sound spectrums. Is it better than a totally modded component system? NO! But, with this setup, it is quite respectable and inexpensive.
Don't cheapen out on the Head Unit though. The HU's with 4V pre-outs cost a bit more, but you'll notice that it's worth it and easy to add the bass end components.
The downside:
Even though my upper and mid range sound much better, clearer, louder, you will not get the bass that used to come out of the Mach system. However, this can be solved by adding your favorite 10" or 12" sub along with a custom box and mono amp. This takes care of all the sound spectrums. Is it better than a totally modded component system? NO! But, with this setup, it is quite respectable and inexpensive.
Don't cheapen out on the Head Unit though. The HU's with 4V pre-outs cost a bit more, but you'll notice that it's worth it and easy to add the bass end components.
KTD SC said:
I went to ultimate electronics, and I bought a Sony head unit recently. I bought an adapter that was like $15. It hooked into the Mach 460 amp connections and deck connection. And spliced into the connector that goes into the back of the deck.I have all the bass that I had before, and my mid and high range sounds way better.
WMDPALMER
Founding Member
Call Crutchfield or Crutchfield.com and they will be able to hook you up with what you need. They sold me the HU and the Line leveler. works great!
There are adapters you can buy at places like Circuit City and Best But. I think they retail for $50. I paid $15 because I knew someone who worked there, and I got it at cost.
Kurt
Kurt
5.0_GT_kid
20+ Year Stangneter
hmm, guess alots changed since 5.0 MM&SF put out that mag (like 9 months)
1hot5.0 said:
I have all the bass that I had before, and my mid and high range sounds way better.
What he said
chaos254 said:
There are several factors to take into consideration in finding the cause of your static. First, you need to be more specific as to when you here the static. Is there stacic when: playing the radio, cd, or both?; when the engine is off (key in the acc. position), or running?; does the stacic sound increase w/, or change with the engine's rpm's?.
I forgot, did you not have any static with the factory HU? Mine was pretty rough before I installed my Alpine which greatly cleaned/cleared up the sound. The Alpine HU should have helped due to a far superior signal to noise ratio.
Screw the unit that has the knobs so you can adjust the pre-amp voltage. Its a waste of money. I purchased a set of RCA tee connectors. The connectors plug into the back of my Sony at the RCA port. It turns a single plug into 2 separate RCA plugs. Now that is a total of 4 RCA connectors. 2 for the LEFT and 2 for the RIGHT. I then purchased a plug that converts RCA plugs into the factory plug for the factory amps. The plug has a left and a right that I used a normal RCA cable to hook up. That takes care of the factory system. If you want to get another amp in the back that you already own you have to tee the RCA's again at the plug in the link below. I now have a complete system. The plug below has 4 wires. They are front left and right and the rear left and right. If you have a DUAL RCA head unit than you dont need the tees. If you dont like me, you need to set your balance to the REAR. You will still have LEFT AND RIGHT CONTROL but all the pre-amp sound is set up for the REAR on a single set of RCA on most headunits.
http://www.scosche.com/scosche/connectors/FD03.asp
http://www.scosche.com/scosche/connectors/FD03.asp
