Symphony upgrade questions
 

Okay...I realize that the speakers have to be changed for any marked improvement. My question is, though, is it simple to add an external amp. to the system? The manual says it has RCA preouts. Where is the factory amp...integrated into the headunit? If it is not intergrated into the headunit and is somewhere like under the rear deck shelf, would it be as simple as unplugging it and replacing it with a more powerful one? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I added an amp using Hi/Lo converters.....
 

This was the day after I got the car and after the fact I read that it had preamps.

Re: Symphony upgrade questions
 

The non-Bose system runs the front speakers off of the head unit's built-in amp, and the rear speakers off of an amp mounted in the trunk (over the passenger side wheel well in the sedan).

Yes, it has preouts, which are utilized by the rear amp (rear speakers in the non-Bose, all speakers in the Bose).

Some folks here have successfully used the preouts to put in a new amp, so they may chime in here to give some help (or else you can try doing Search to see what they've posted about it before). Be aware that since the non-Bose system runs the front speakers off the head unit, you mean need to rewire them to run to the amp you put in.

Jedi how's your CVT w/ the Neuspeed chip

Amazing!!! cut, copied and pasted from a past post (long)
 

I like the Neuspeed chip a lot! Let me tell you why...this may also answer a
few of your questions below. I have the 1.8T CVT. The tranny is new for this
type of production and therefore any modifications need to be extensively
researched. Repairs are not cheap and may not be under warranty. The Neuspeed
chip isn't actually a physical chip....once they receive your car or ecu,
they
solder off your existing chip, re-flash it with Neuspeed software and solder it
back on. The screws on the cover of the ecu are flat, thus they need to be
slightly beveled to remove. You may keep the existing screws, or have them
replaced by original VW/Audi screws for $6.00. Everyone mentions the "chastity
belt" to protect from mods to the ecu, when in fact it's called an "RF shield"
to do exactly what it's called; shield ecu from RF signals. So, the chip is
physically the original chip, just with new software one directly at Neuspeed.
I got mine done at Greedspeed in Thousand Oaks. Neuspeed is about 5 min away
in Camarillo. Any new software upgrades or reverting back to the original is
free of charge. This is an extremely reputable place that has had several of
their cars in publications, including European Car. You will soon see their
2002 Oettinger A4 1.8T in European Car (I saw this car there and it's
amazing!!). The service there is excellent and they know what they are doing.
If you do a posting on AW and get feedback on Greedspeed, you'll see their
reputation. The owner won't feedback on themselves either. This chip is
designed to "play it safe" (+30hp, 60 ft lb), thus it is NOT a really
aggressive chip. Unlike the Garrett's....

The GIAC chip also came very highly recommended and is very aggressive (+45hp,
100 ft lb). So is PES's chip, which uses Garrett's software. This where you
need to seriously consider the tranny. Also, very few people have installed
this chip in a CVT, not even the "veteran/reputable" places in San Diego.
Also, here's a very key point...the Garrett chip is installed by dealers, not
the factory itself. This means that you need to entrust the soldering and
extra soldering (socketing, etc.) to each dealer, not the manufacturer itself.
If you use this chip, a dealer will notice this immediately on the ECU, versus
the Neuspeed which appears stock, even the screws. I'm not trying to say that
the Garrett chip is bad, by no means. The GIAC chip was recommended by an avid
M3 owner, who has had over 7 BMWs, including the new M3, with over $10k in
mods! But the operative word here is "BMW".

I was told the CVT can only handle 250 ft lbs of torque, otherwise you will
cause damage to the chain. Also, make good relations with your local Audi
service advisor. He/She will be a lot more forgiving in case warranty issues
come up. Cost wasn't really the issue, but at $299 for the Neuspeed chip, I
can't complain, nor do I feel that I was "cut short".

The only thing that I didn't answer was the power delivery. Compared to stock,
it's smooth, but not as smooth as stock. I had also put in a K&N filter as
well. The K&N doesn't do a whole lot, but helps it "inhale" a better and
deeper. I have it on my '99 BMW 328 and it makes a big difference on that. I
got both the chip and filter at the same time, so I can't tell about the
performance gain on the filter alone or for that matter on the chip alone.

Amp is on passenger side behind a panel
 

I added an amp by tapping into stock sub speaker outs from stock sub and using a line converter.

Search here on AW for posts by "a4pat"

He posted a huge instruction thing with pictures on how to do it. Probably posted about 3 months ago.