So I finally got my amp installed. It's a diamond D3 4 channel. I'm using the factory HU (non-Bose) and I used a 2ch line out converter.
1. There is some static noise (kind of like tape hiss or static) that even between tracks is there.
2. I get distortion at the same volume as when running off deck power (amp gain is about 1/3 up). I'm guessing it is the level on the LOC, but I didn't touch the level and it was up all the way.
3. The beep that the HU makes when you adjust treble/bass/balance/fade is now about 2-3x as loud as it used to be. It is not affected by volume. I connected my remote turn on for the amp to the purple wire in the back, and the amp turns on/off as it should.


Thanks for the help guys. If I can't get these problems worked out, I'll probably just go back to HU power.

 

The LOC level should not be turned up all the way. Set your HU volume to the level you feel is appropriate, prob leave the amp level where it is, THEN slowly start to increase the gains on the LOC until your sound starts to degrade. Back off the gain a little bit and you should be good to go.

What LOC did you get? Does it have ground wires on it? If so, I think they will reduce any static or engine noises you might be receiving. I think the PAC have 2 brown wires on their LOC's for this reason.

 

Ok, so I played with the wiring over the weekend. As much as I hate to admit it, I had the speakers wired to the amp wrong (never bridged a 4 ch amp before and the labels on the amp were crap). Anywho, that helped with the really loud beeping and with a lot of the distortion from the speakers.

There is still the tape-like noise, although it is much quieter. It isn't engine noise, because it doesn't fluctuate and no my LOC doesn't have ground wires (cheap local shop). I'll try turning the levels on the LOC down and see if that helps further with distortion (it gets pretty loud now, but I know it can be louder and cleaner).

 

If you haven't installed the LOC in a difficult area to get to, then I would recommend going to walmart and picking up the scotche LOC they have in thier car audio section. It is $18 and hasn't let me down yet.

 

Don or any other experience installer-

Where should the levels on the LOC be set for the stock HU?