Hello All....I need some serious help here and I hope some of you Stereo Gurus can lend a hand.
I am installing an amp and all new speakers, but Im keeping my OEM Headunit (CD-Player). I bought a Scosche FAI-3 four-channel line output converter (speaker level converter) so I could add the amp.
The amp is a JBL four-channel amp pushing all four speakers.
The problem is that the amp and the converter both have level adjustments. The LOC's manual says that it's adjustments are used to match the voltage of the amp and OEM radio. The amp's level is for sensitivity I guess?! I've tried turning the dials and leaving them in many different positions, but when I turn the radio up, the speakers start to cut out and crackle.
How do I adjust these two things so that they'll work together?

Here's the pages of the LOC manual that I have followed to the letter. I have checked and rechecked my wiring and it's all exact.
Please...any help is greatly appreciated.




[Modified by GSR-REX, 11:54 PM 12/3/2002]


[Modified by GSR-REX, 12:00 AM 12/4/2002]

 

try turning both the amp and line out converter to half way and see if that helps. goodluck

 

what kind of radio do you have? you would typically turn the radio **** to the point where you would AT MOST listen to without any distortion. 2.) adjust the gains of the converter and amp to about half way. 3.) play with the gains from the amp until you get a volume and clarity you are satisfied with. if it's still not loud enough, then turn the gains of the converter up. keep playing with them until you get the optimum sound quality.. good luck, hope that helps a bit

 

Thanks....I tried putting them both at 1/2 and it still gave the same problem.

 

I have the factory Integra CD player, which unfortunately, is incredibly difficult to tell when it turned 3/4 of the way up.
I've tried all of this. It seems that if the converter isn't perfectly adjusted, I get cut-out and popping mixed with spontaneous crackling!!
Which adjustment should I work with first? Should I turn the amp up 3/4 of the way and adjust the converter or turn the converter 3/4 of the way up and adjust the amp?
Also, if I turn the amp or converter levels up hardly at all, I get a hiss when the radio volume is turned down completely. What am I doing wrong?

I really appreciate all of the suggestions guys! Keep 'em coming because this is driving me nuts!!


[Modified by GSR-REX, 9:21 AM 12/4/2002]

 

I did installs for a long time, and I like the PAC ones much better. Might I suggest buying one of those. If you buy it at Circuit City or somewhere, you can always return it if you have problems, but those are really easy to set up.

 

Thanks...do the PAC ones have the voltage adjustment? I tried really hard to find a LOC that didn't have this "feature" but it seems that this is the way they all are. I've installed LOC's before that didn't have the voltage adjustments, and they were so much simpler.
I'll search for PAC and see what I can find.

 

ttt...for the lunchtime crowd!

 

TTT
Still need some help guys. Any other suggestions??
TIA

 

I figured it out...It was that piece of garbage LOC from Scosche. It is the 2nd one I have bought from them!
Just a word of advice...stay away from SCOSCHE brand LOCs......they suck IMO.

Anybody have (1) 4-channel PAC LOC or (2) 2-Channel PAC LOCs???
Thanks..

 

Most four channel amps have high level inputs. So you may not even need a converter.

 

Thanks...but its only got the low level inputs. I unfortunately have to have a converter.
I guess I'm going to have to buy an aftermarket head unit and wait for the thieves.

 

Hey whats up? I have a suggestion. turn your stock radio up 90% of the way with all of the gains down. then slowly turn up the converter gains and then the amps. the amps gain should be the last one you turn up. make shure that the polarity is correct also. The converter may be bad. don't give up.

 

Thanks DaMaCk...I'm pretty sure the converters bad. I tested each speaker on different outputs by switching around the RCA cables and found that teh front/right speaker output from the converter caused trouble at every speaker. I'm going to take it back and try to find a non-adjustable LOC. I sure holp that fixes the issue.
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
anybody else?

 

I have seen some of those LOCs work or not work with the ground wire hooked up, try it with the ground disconnected, then with it grounded with the stereo, then grounded somewhere else. Expiriment w/ the ground. Hope that helps.