My speakers whine!

[evil0ne]

the only time I will have the key in the on position is when the engine is running and I am not going to be able to hear the whine (if it stays) over the engine noise anyway.

I don't know if you can hear anything over the sound of that big block. I bet the FAE on the 496 motor will make a bigger difference then on your Marine Power 350. Let us know.

[xpjim1]

Thanks Tall
That gave me a well needed laugh today.
Knock on wood as I will be installing my ws 420 next weekend

[SPBFAN]

Any recommendations? Clarion, Sony, Alpine, Kenwood all seem to run about 2V's!

This is where the line driver becomes very help full I put it in right before the EQ under the dash. I was able to drop the gains on the EQ way down as well as at the amps. As soon as I drop down the gains of course I drop the sensitivity of the system picking up the White Noise. Static is gone unless the song has it recorded into the song or it has been modified by my son so it has major distortion. The ALD in front of the EQ made a huge difference in my volume levels and quality of sound. I have a great source on High Quality RCA for a very reasonable price if you guys need them let me know they come in 8' and 12' sections with gold connections on the ends. I have not check to see the prices for this year yet but I can if anyone needs them.

[philwsailz]

Hah hah hah hah hah!!!!!!

lolololololol....

Okay, at least we learned a few things with this one.... AND we got a schematic or three, AND we learned that WASHDOWN means TURN STEREO ON...

That is SO funny guys, but glad it all turned out good....

[xpjim1]

This is where the line driver becomes very help full I put it in right before the EQ under the dash. I was able to drop the gains on the EQ way down as well as at the amps. As soon as I drop down the gains of course I drop the sensitivity of the system picking up the White Noise. Static is gone unless the song has it recorded into the song or it has been modified by my son so it has major distortion. The ALD in front of the EQ made a huge difference in my volume levels and quality of sound. I have a great source on High Quality RCA for a very reasonable price if you guys need them let me know they come in 8' and 12' sections with gold connections on the ends. I have not check to see the prices for this year yet but I can if anyone needs them.

You are putting a line driver before the ws 420 which is a line drive. Seems like you are introducing another component to create noise

[SPBFAN]

You are putting a line driver before the ws 420 which is a line drive. Seems like you are introducing another component to create noise

The signal out of the Clarion deck is only around 2V at best if your lucky. Clarion has a very poor signal out of the deck. I put this in and was able to reduce my gains on the EQ and as soon as I did the static went away. My gains on my EQ are set at just over 1/4 turn. Not to mention the clarity at higher volumes that I now have is way better and I mean way better than what it was at Lake Mead. This ALD changed everything in my system. I did also reconfigure my amps around and I have one more configuration to make. Once I am done with the whole thing I will post up the changes and pictures. but I can say the ALD made a huge difference. Now the EQ can do what it is designed to do Equalize the system and balance the out put to each zone/Amp not correct weak signals in the system.

[chpthril]

I have also learned that the Clarion decks need to go away. They have a very week RCA signal out the back of the deck..

The signal out of the Clarion deck is only around 2V at best if your lucky. Clarion has a very poor signal out of the deck..

No arguments about the benefits of a line driver, but I still feel two is unnecessary. Maybe Phil or Tim could chime in on this.

If Clarion, probably the leading supplier in Marine Head Units, is so weak, but they have the same Pre-out voltage as the other leading brands, what brand head unit would you recommend to those looking to throw out their Clarions based on your suggestion?

[SPBFAN]

No arguments about the benefits of a line driver, but I still feel two is unnecessary. Maybe Phil or Tim could chime in on this.

If Clarion, probably the leading supplier in Marine Head Units, is so weak, but they have the same Pre-out voltage as the other leading brands, what brand head unit would you recommend to those looking to throw out their Clarions based on your suggestion?

That is one I am trying to find out myself. I don't know that answer yet. I also am trying to find out if it is just the older version of Clarion decks that have that issue. I tried to call some peps in the know on this today and they are not available. They are off work cause they just had a new baby. As soon as I get more info on this I will share it as this is all a learning curve for me also. I like all of you felt the line driver in the 420 was sufficient.

[chpthril]

That is one I am trying to find out myself. I don't know that answer yet. I also am trying to find out if it is just the older version of Clarion decks that have that issue. I tried to call some peps in the know on this today and they are not available. They are off work cause they just had a new baby. As soon as I get more info on this I will share it as this is all a learning curve for me also. I like all of you felt the line driver in the 420 was sufficient.

To answer you question, the Clarion CMD4, CMD4A, CMD5, M475, M455, M275 all have a 2V Pre-out. Dont know yet about the 09 Clarion line up: CMD6, CMV1, M309 and M109.

[SPBFAN]

I am really curious then why this ALD made such a huge diffrence on my deck and on the overall system. I just won't be able to get that answer until Brad returns.

[philwsailz]

No arguments about the benefits of a line driver, but I still feel two is unnecessary. Maybe Phil or Tim could chime in on this.

The quietest system, (i.e. the one with the least NOISE) would be one where the speaker wire was the amplifier....


Electronic components make noise. The more you put in, the more noise you will get. That general statement takes care of most applications...

That being said, there are situations where one can add a piece of gear and reduce noise, but in most instances it is like handing the Space Shuttle to Beavis and ********... The outcome is usually no good. I have no doubt that SPB has a quieter system; he took the time to set it up right, but that is the rarity.

The best solution is going to be to limit the number of devices and gizmos. There is a two-fold reasoning:

1. There are fewer gain stages, and therefore fewer steps where EVERYTHING is amplified.
2. There are fewer knobs, and therefore fewer opportunites to screw it up.

[xpjim1]

Some of early 05's have the XMd3 which has 2 volt preouts also.

[talltigeguy]

Thanks Tall
That gave me a well needed laugh today.
Knock on wood as I will be installing my ws 420 next weekend

It is good to see I could be the source of humor for people.

I agree with CHP overall...it seems counterintuitive to put in a line driver to boost the signal to my other line driver. But I think that whatever helps the system out is good.

I do know that my Ipod sounds a ton better and clearer and louder than my head unit. Does not seem to matter what setting I do for the gains on the EQ or amplifier, I either get gain hiss or a weaker stereo when using the HU. I will try one of SBFAN's quality RCA cables and see if that makes any difference. Maybe I am losing signal strength.

If I can stop from breaking Ipods, then that is what I use all the time anyway. I just hope that I do not get stranded with just the HU, or I am disappointed.

[philwsailz]

Do you use the WS420 for the primary stereo volume control or are you trying to use the H/U's volume control?

[evil0ne]

I use my ipod with the clarion cable and the HU and I definitely get better output from the CD player.