1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Saab apparently has two preamp output cable(s) available:
-part number 42-32-807 "Booster Cable HA"
-price $72
-This cable is less than three feet long, and has round 8-pin DIN connectors on both ends. The radio head end connector is right angle, which is required to 900 model radios, but not for 9-3 models.
-part number 02-48-641 "Wiring Harness for Audio Upgrage" listed in the Saab online catalog for use with Saab's optional amp (see link below)
-price is $88
-don't know if this cable is substantially different from the previous one, perhaps the length is different or one end is not right angle. (anybody know?) Almost certainly both ends are 8-pin DIN because the optional amp for older 900 models and newer 9-3 models still have the same part number as each other (that is, they both use the same amp)
The Saab amp uses an 8-pin DIN female jack for the audio inputs. To connect the head unit to Saab's amp, you will need one or other of these two cables, but not both. However, if you wish to connect virtually any other amp, i.e. one that uses RCA jacks for input, you can cut the Saab cable and solder it to preamp wires with RCA plugs. If you're going to bother to solder, you can just make your own cable.
Make your own, using Radio Shack 8-pin DIN plug:
-Radio Shack's part number is 274-026
-price is $1.99
-Use the pin outs shown in Richard Bevan's Saab Audio Guide in the FAQ section of Saabnet to solder your RCA cables to the plug
-This is a real pain in the ass, because you have to carefully strip multiple small wires and solder them to multiple small pins, and unless your RCA cable is Monster MicroXLN or similar small diameter cable, the RCA cable (i.e. virtually all RCA cables) will be too fat to exit the back of the Radio Shack plug, so you will need to cut the outer plastic piece of the Radio Shack plug, or hold the two metal pieces of the Radio Shack connector together with the RCA cable using gobs of electrical tape, and strain relief will be limited by how well you assemble everything.
Neither option is particularly good: higher price vs. more labor. But mostly, you need to be aware that even Saab's own cables are not simply Plug and Play with any amp other than Saab's.
Good luck, whichever way you go.
SteveH
Saab catalog page with preamp cable
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