Wow - is it really the amp?

[BreakingBad]

Ok i'm in desperate need of help..

This is a fairly long read as i have to explain everything so you can see the problem and guess if it's really my amp or something else...

Aside from the local install shop's errors on my vehicle (as listed in the retailer review section) i've experienced a multitude of problems with my system.

First. I would play a song, it would produce sound but as soon at there was a low note that went to the amp/sub, instead of the clean deep bass from my xxx 18 i get a popping, distorted crackling noise, almost as if the voice coil on the sub was rubbing.

we thought it was the sub, we took it out, put it on a battery, no rubbing. vc's reading at 2.4-2.6 (re said that's fine) anyway after testing the sub itself, i put a small alpine amp (600 watt mrd series) on the 18xxx. clean hard bass, it just wasn't as loud as i wanted it to be.

i get my ax-1500de amp back from us amps for repair, they said there was a bad capacitor...and it was put through rigorus testing and it was 100% working.

well i get the amp back, put in all the wires... boom same distortion/popping/crackling.

rca's have been re-ran and replaced with brand new ones (knukonceptz)

head unit replaced for other defects

grounds under hood replaced/upgraded

ground in rear is on strut tower, i sanded the paint down so it's a secure tight ground to bare metal

i dont know what the problem could be... i mean it definately sounds like an amp problem because its as soon as a low note comes in, but i was worried about the grounds... i mean this problem is so hard to describe...like when i FIRST turn my vehicle on, there will be bass. like i listened to it for about 7 or 8 minutes and then it just went into total distortion and no bass was reproduced..

so basically a small alpine 600w works just fine, but as soon as i put the ax 1500 back on...distortion like crazy, popping, crackling, etc.

any insight?? by that i mean.. does it sound like a problem that was missed on the amp, or does it sound like something else (ground, etc.)?

A quick summary of the problem: bass occasionally comes through, with intermittent distortion, popping/crackling.. and at times sends nothing BUT distortion and no bass is reproduced until i turn off the vehicle and turn it back on, and even then the distortion can continue.

Click to read more...

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

clipping? not enough power for the amp ...

 

[BreakingBad]

doubt it.

same amp was ran on 2 SX 12's with stock 105amp alternator and stock battery previously..

i have 2 yellow tops on an EA 200amp alternator now... so i did nothing but upgrade..

 

[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

did u try a dif sub with that amp now?

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Have you tested your voltage readings when the bass hits yet? I know you mentioned an alt upgrade, but perhaps the alts got a problem and can't handle the load? Something worth checking out at any rate, that would eliminate the charging system...

 

[BreakingBad]

well see the same alternator was put on the alpine amp... no issues what so ever... and again this is a custom EA alt.. i've heard nothing but great things about these guys and its apparently tested before it ships.. so i mean if voltage was dropping, it would've been dropping on the alpine amp too if the alternator was in fact bad...

i put my sx 12's on the same amp and the same problem occurs.. so its not the sub..

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Would it be possible for you to hook your amp up in a different vehicle?

That would definitely go a ways towards eliminating the possibility of it being an installation error on your part.

 

[Tacosys 10+ year member]

Check your voltage. Just hook the DMM up to your amp power and ground wires and see what happens when the bass hits.

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

I would try the amp in a different vehicle.