Category: Navigation & Audio
Price: $100
Private or Vendor Listing: Private Listing
Part fits (you may select multiples): R50, R52, R53
Location (Region): Midwestern
Item Condition: Used

I modified an E46 Harmon Kardon amp to work in a R53 per merongi's guide with a modification to make it essentially plug and play. No modification to the wiring harness is required for those that are looking for an easy, nearly OEM replacement at less than 50% the cost of a used R53 HK amp.
Installation with this amp can be as easy as:
1: remove old amp
2: plug in new amp
3: secure new amp
4: enjoy

For those that want to go the extra mile or are feeling ambitious and want to have the correct R/L mapping, minor modifications to the connector are required.

This amp retains steering wheel button functionality but loses the preset 'ambiance' programs that come with the R53 system. Front/Rear fade will not work properly. Sound quality feels nearly identical to that of the original R53 HK system. The only modification 'required' is removing one endplate from the mini amp and moving it to this amp, to retain the original mounting bracket. This can be avoided also if you are creative with zipties or foam.

Looking for $100+ship. Verified working (can send video of amp installed and operating if required).

 

Should have mentioned OBO. Bump!

 

With all the failures I thought there would be more interest...

 

Out of curiosity - is this a performance upgrade? Rating of e46 amp vs r53?

 

From the research I have done, they're supposedly the same but I'm not sure anyone has done an audio comparison. I'll report back once I get the OEM HK system back up to snuff in the 2003 I'm working on now.

Either way, it sounds fantastic I'm super impressed for a 12 year old factory stereo. I have no interest whatsoever in going aftermarket after getting this working. Combined with a $7 aux cord, this is awesome.

 

A little off track, but since you work on them, quick question:

Have we figured out why the OEM amps go out? Whats the weak point and is there anything you can do to prevent it? I remember reading something about cold weather being a factor. True?

 

I'm also curious as to what the failure point is for these amps.

 

Here is someone who diagnosed and repaired one.
https://gethypoxic.com/blogs/technic...man-kardon-amp
It's been posted on this forum before but I haven't seen anybody report that they tried it.

 

I also read that some failures are not due to this switch mode power supply. I gather is the propriety IC entombed in the black epoxy.

 

@megaDan, sorry about the hijack of your for-sale thread.

You are offering a good and economical fix, and somebody should buy it!

 

Bump

I've now performed this fix in two R53's with separate E46 amps with excellent results. Sound quality is nearly identical to that of the R53 HK amp, with the exception of the 'sound profiles' I'll call them that are available with the R53 amp. I'm not sure if its an equalizer or what, but it provides a different feel to the sound. Without this enabled I'm unable to tell the difference between the two. I'm thrilled with the quality the HK system (with either amp) puts out for a factory system. I have no urge whatsoever to go aftermarket.

 

Here's a question for you, only slightly off-topic. I have an R53 with HK. I'm on my second HK amp, and if/when it fails I have another used one on the shelf, but its from an R52, i.e. a convertible. Will there be any appreciable difference? TIA.

 

I do not have specific experience with R52 vehicles, but throughout my research I've never seen indication that there is a difference between R52 and R53.

Edit: I have performed this fix on both pre and post facelift cars, if that helps.

 

Was there a difference between pre and post facelift with the amps?

 

From a replacement standpoint? No. I used the same modified E46 replacement (also with two different E46 amps) on both a 2003 and 2004 successfully.

From a hardware standpoint? Not sure. I haven't cracked open the 2003 to compare to the 2004.

 

pre is 2002-2004 and post facelift is 2005-2006 (hardtop) and 2005-2008 convertible.

 

What?! I guess I had my wires crossed. What I understood as facelift changes....apparently were not. Sorry!

 

MegaDan, do you still have the amp available?