Hooking Laptop computer to Amp?

OK, I know nothing about Computers and just a little bit more about Car Audio- I'm wondering if it would be possible to hook a Laptop to my Amp in Someway.

Effectively, this would allow me to play MP3s in my car as well as lending a "technical" Look to my audio system. I already have a laptop and an entire system in my car. My Amp uses typical stereo jacks on the input. The Laptop has a typical 1/8 jack for headphones and stereo speakers.

Someone said something along the lines of "drawing to much power FROM the laptop would damage the preamps" (or something like that) but i'm not putting to much weight on this thesis, because this guy is generally an arrogant SOB who's convinced he's right even when he has SOLID PHYSICAL PROOF otherwise right in front of his face.


(TANGENT- one time, he said that dogs don't have Doup claws. we went outside, looked at the neighbors dog, it had Doup Claws. We went to my house, looked at both my dogs, Both had Doup Claws. and He STILL WOULDN"T ADMIT HE WAS WRONG!
THAT'S WHY I'M NOT LISTENING TO THIS GUY. I WANTED TO ASK YOU GUYS.

tHANKS GUYS.

Yes, you can hook up your laptop to you amp, but why? They have cd players that play mp3's now. Anyways, what type of deck do you currently have? Not interested in brand or model, but is it a tape player, or cd, if its cd, does it have and auxillary jack? If its a tape player, just buy one of thos converters from radio shack. ( the kind that looks lika a tape, and you plug it into your headphone jack.) Or, if you have an auxillary jack on your deck, then just plug from you headphone jack into that. This way all the sound is coming out from your deck, thru the preamps and into the amp. The other way is to go to your local Radio Schack and buy a converter cable that will be RCA plugs on one side, and a regular headphone type plug on the other. If you go this route, you will need to turn down the gain on your amp because the signal will probably be too powerful, and result in your amp getting too hot.

yep can be done ,go from your jack on laptop into a line driver then depending on what head unit you got and how many amps and if you got eq. some head units have inputs so no problem there if not and you are running only one amp then get hold of a source controler,that is a unit mainly used in home audio they are a unit that you can put one input and have several outputs.but if you use the outputs as inputs ,and the input as output you get the lead from source controler to amp and you can have your head unit on one and computer on other and just by pushing a button you can swap between them .if you want any more info then email me at [email protected]

That's Very Encouraging.

Anyway, the MAIN reason I don't want to buy an MP3 Player is that I don't have the money. Even though I can't afford an MP3 Player, I already have everything I need to do the procedure listed above.

Anyway, thanks guys...

Wellsit- I have a CD player, but I'm not sure about the Auxiliary jack. I know I have all sorts of "out" jacks/plugs...but as for IN, I have NO idea.

An auxillary jack looks like a regular haedphone jack. It's normally located on the face plate, however sometimes, especially on older decks, they might be located on the back. What brand & model # is your current deck? Let me know, and I'll look it up. If you have one, I would recommend using it.

I think It's a Kenwood KDC 459, but I'm not sure. It's also not the newest model, it's two years old. based on the information you've given me, I should be able to find it.

I couldn't find a KDC 459. If its 2 years old, and its a higher end deck, then it should have a aux out jack. If you could get me the model number for sure, then I could tell you. Or look for the jack, you'll know when you see it.

If All goes well, I'll be out at dads today and I can get it for you. I keep it garaged during bad weather, and it's been snowing recently. anyway, If I get it, I'll post later tonight. :)

The CD player is a Kenwood KCD4401, if my memory serves me correctly. if theres no 4401, find the closest number. i KNOW the letters are KCD, though.

Sorry, I was unable to find a kdc 4401. The closest I could come was 4019, and it does have an aux input. If you find one on yours, I would suggest you use it, instead of trying to hook directly to the amp.

Wellsit- Thank you for your advice, it's allowed me to complete this project (AND win $100 in a bet with someone that said it wasn't possible!) what a awesome day. it sounds good. not as great as a CD in my Cd reciever, but still driving quality. I'm gonna mess with my reciever settings to see if that helps any. Thanks guys!!!