Hi guys shes my first post here so be gentle with me. It seems I have a problem with the 8V output from my Eclipse HU and my OS Soundstream amps, even with the gains turned right down the amps clipping indicators flash? I was very happy with the quality of sound with these amps and my old Nak tapedeck but very displeased with them and my new Eclipse Is there anything I can do other than upgrade to newer amps or downgrade to lesser of a HU? Thanks

You certainly have a delema if you are using deck power.... but with a couple $.20 resistors inline with the RCA you should be able to fix the problem... ;)

No deck power the HU a preamp only. Please excuse my lack of knowlage here but how would I put those resistors inline and how would I know which ones to get(not a lot of electrical smarts)
Thanks

Sounds like the amps are being driven to maximum output already. If you can figure out what volume level on the deck corresponds to the start of the clipping indicators on the amps, just use that as your max. volume point. If the LEDs are flashing before the amp starts to clip, the amp may need to be looked at....remember, it's a question of matching the output from the deck to the inputs of the amp. If the gap is too wide, I would look at amps capable of handling the higher input levels as opposed to a deck with lower outputs...

just my $.02 worth... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

which Soundstreams?

here is my suggestion. the settings on your head unit. where are they. do you have the bass and treble set high as you did on your previous headunit. also is the loud setting on(or any other form of enhancer, sorry im not familiar with that headunit). last thing are you using the sub output from the head unit or the rear or fronts output. where is that sub output set on your head unit? all these things might be set to max or to similar positions that you used on your previous headunit. try turning them all down a notch. for example i found that a power full headunit with its setting turned down gave me 3v of output at the head unit(of what believe as non distorted) but on my old headunit when i turned everything up it was at 1.2 volts and it was running at distortion, guaranteed.

try this if you havent and see what results you get. how does it sound to you right now. as your ears are the ones that are gonna listen to it. does it sound crisp and clearer than your previous unit.are you happy with the sound and intensity at which the sound comes out. or does it truly sound distorted to you.

last thing. we got this one line driver that always has the clipping light on passed 6.5 volts. but we get amazingly loud results with 9 volts and the scores in spl show that. the sound appears louder but i have not put it on the o scope. distortion can be loud too. but it is crisp and clear when i play it and im happy with it. so listen to your ears, try some testing above. try asking the makers of the amps about this also. they for sure have a technical hotline. and id use it if you could. good luck. keep us posted on your findings.

sorry forgot one thing. run a test tone thru it. 1 khz test tone and start turning up the volume till it starts to sounds distorted and then back it back a notch on volume. this is a reference tone to hear distortion. it will sounds ugly once its distorted. youll know the difference. see how where it lights up that distortion. and if that same point is where that light turns on. there might be something wrong with your amps also so careful on your testing. but if the tone doesnt sound distorted and you can go passed that light turning on. id say your good. but use your ears. last case scenario, pm dave mackinnon as he might have tested that amp for pasmag. do a search for "dave_m" hes usually around sq section also. good luck

[ April 16, 2005, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Team Shadow ]

Thanks for the replys guys. oh yeah sorry about the lack of info an the pieces. Back in the 90s I built a system that was a Nak cd unit(dont remember the # as it went with the car 8 years ago) and a SS1000s/604/a pair of SS12s and quart components front & rear. I was in heaven with the sound, it was awsome to my ears. When I sold the car I only kept the amps and have had them since. So last year I decide its time for another stereo and I go shopping for stuff. I find a great deal on this Eclipse 55040 HU The subs are 10" ref quarts and the front and rear components are Kappa Perfects. I get her all installed and yuck!! Even with the amp gains turned all the way down the clipping lights blink, and there realy isnt any drive to the system. I can replace the HU much cheaper then that much power and I thought I would ask the experts what their take is. Thanks again

What is the exact model of the amplifier?

Reference 1000s and 604

Alight here is the deal... if too much voltage from the head unit was the problem you could simply keep the volume lower while getting maximum power from your amps... no worries...

I thought you might be using deck power and the amps overload indicator was going from too much signal when the head was cranked...

From what youve said now Id suspect that amp is suffering from a lack of power and is current clipping even at low levels... check all power connections and make sure they are clean and secure.... Id also check the voltage at the amp with the system on just to see where its at...