Can I disable the internal amp in my Sony headunit?

[DaKid]

Hoping one of you clever chaps might be able to help me

I've recently bought a Saab 9-5, and I'm wanting to plug in my Sony MP3 headunit (CDX-M8800), but it's clashing with the factory-installed Harmon Kardon amp. Even I don't need much thought to realise that the external amp will be better than the one inside my headunit, so, as I need to disable one or the other, the Sony one seems the best choice.

I know that the internal amp can be disabled because it's done automatically when an external powered amplifer is connected using the requisite sockets on the back of the headunit, however this amp is wired into the main Saab audio loom, so I just connect my twin ISO plugs to the Saab moulded block to connect through it.

Does anyone know if it's possible (using some hidden menu or button maybe) to disable the internal amplifier on my Sony CDX-M8800 headunit?

Many thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions, or ideally a perfect answer

[5lab]

you could snip the wires...

there might be an option in the menus somewhere

[DaKid]

Originally Posted by 5lab

you could snip the wires

Maybe not

Originally Posted by 5lab

there might be an option in the menus somewhere

Already looked ... can't see anything. Scoured the manual top to bottom as well

[Jonny M]

I'd imagine you'd have to route the speaker outputs on the ISO plug to the sockets on the back of the head unit. Somehow.

[5lab]

Originally Posted by Caged

I'd imagine you'd have to route the speaker outputs on the ISO plug to the sockets on the back of the head unit. Somehow.

i'd reccomend snipping wires on the adapter cable

[DaKid]

This is meant to be a temporary install while I have this car, so that I can both put the headunit into my next car, and put the old headunit back into this one before selling

[5lab]

is there not some iso -> car adapter you've got thats only useful on this particular car with this headunit? if so, snip the wires on that. if not, you may be able to get an iso extender or something

[Howard]

Harman amp not got line inputs?

[DaKid]

Dunno ... it's all hardwired into the factory-fitted system. I don't really wanna rip the whole dashboard apart to find out.

[Konan555]

There's probably an appropriate loom to bypass the inbuilt amp.

Cost £25 for the '92 Ford one

[m0cea]

Are saying the audio to drive the Saab amp is via the same plug as the Sony speaker outputs? if so is the Saab amp being over driven??
The speaker outputs on the Sony headunit should work regardless of the pre-outs being used or not.