Hello all, this is my first post so I hope it's in the right section! I made sure to fill out my signature with system specs, so take a peak there for some insight if needed. I'm far from an expert in car audio, but I'm no beginner either. I also have about 20 years of professional automotive experience and work with some serious auto electrical gurus. Unfortunately none of them are into car audio.
That being said, I am stumped. I set my gains the way the instructions told me to, and followed the videos. I used the middle test track for a "compromise" between loud and safe. I also checked the head unit for clipping, found none, backed off from 35 to 32 anyway to play it safe (I treat 30 as the max.) My setup was doing fine for about a year and a half, but I noticed with a couple of songs (always stream w/ spotify on android auto) I would get some clipping, so I went in to retune with the DD-1 and make sure things were still good. I went to the "safe" test track this time...or so I thought. The only change I made is I tuned it with my bass knob turned all the way up . I didn't know Alpine RUX-KNOB is an attenuation knob and does not affect the bass boost setting at all. So if anything the gains should be much lower than before and safe from clipping, right? WRONG. Somehow things got worse. I tried again, and would still get clipping and the amp would cut out, then cut back on. I ended up just turning everything way down and doing it by ear. If I listen to something bass heavy, I just turn the knob down. Can anyone tell me what might be going on? I'm stumped. I should also note it is very hard to see the dials on the amp, so I just have to base it on the angle of the screwdriver to know where the dial is. To have such a big trunk Crown Vic's really don't have much room for stereo without making custom panels (which I am no good at!)
Sorry for the long post, and please go easy on me....I haven't been of forums in a VERY long time!