What happened to my aux. port???

[Blue_Water_Rush]

I figured this might be the place to throw this out there, you guys seem pretty audio savvy compared to most.

I have the pseudo RF system with 8 spkrs. When I added the 8W3s and amp I just tapped the stock sub leads with a line adapter. All was well, I'd listen to CDs from the changer, or MP3s from my sony sport/weather CD walkman plugged into the aux. port. Very little difference in SQ or volume. Now recently I added a tablet DVD player with a custom mount on the dash (thread available for viewing). I might have f*cked up though. The player has a headphone out jack, and also digital audio (optical) out. At first I had the mini cable in the optical jack to the aux. port, and it sounded great, but then after reading some stuff in the manual, I realized I should have been using the headphone out to the aux. port, as using the digital jack is for utilizing an optical cable to a DTS receiver for 5.1 surround. They warn that speaker damage can occur if this output is used improperly. Well, what I'm noticing now is when I'm listening to the MP3 player through the aux. port, there is way too much bass. I have to turn my bass knob to minus 2 or more to equalize it. I thought I damaged the speakers (at least the new subs), but when listening to CDs it sounds fine. What the hell's goin' on??? Could I have damaged the aux. imput of the HU? I think I might take it to the guy I bought my JLs from. He's pretty experienced and might be able to shed some light here.

Opinions and comments welcome.

[gr8titan]

Can't help you there man but based on the electronic mods you've done with your Titan, I may want to pick your brains sometime on a weekend morning. You're only a few miles from me

[bestatchess]

Does it do the same thing with different AUX sources?

[cheyenne_taiga]

Originally Posted by Blue_Water_Rush

I figured this might be the place to throw this out there, you guys seem pretty audio savvy compared to most.

I have the pseudo RF system with 8 spkrs. When I added the 8W3s and amp I just tapped the stock sub leads with a line adapter. All was well, I'd listen to CDs from the changer, or MP3s from my sony sport/weather CD walkman plugged into the aux. port. Very little difference in SQ or volume. Now recently I added a tablet DVD player with a custom mount on the dash (thread available for viewing). I might have f*cked up though. The player has a headphone out jack, and also digital audio (optical) out. At first I had the mini cable in the optical jack to the aux. port, and it sounded great, but then after reading some stuff in the manual, I realized I should have been using the headphone out to the aux. port, as using the digital jack is for utilizing an optical cable to a DTS receiver for 5.1 surround. They warn that speaker damage can occur if this output is used improperly. Well, what I'm noticing now is when I'm listening to the MP3 player through the aux. port, there is way too much bass. I have to turn my bass knob to minus 2 or more to equalize it. I thought I damaged the speakers (at least the new subs), but when listening to CDs it sounds fine. What the hell's goin' on??? Could I have damaged the aux. imput of the HU? I think I might take it to the guy I bought my JLs from. He's pretty experienced and might be able to shed some light here.

Opinions and comments welcome.

Have you tried adjusting the bass on the MP3 player?

[Blue_Water_Rush]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Does it do the same thing with different AUX sources?

Well, I didn't notice much difference with the DVD player between using the headphone out or digital optical out. There is a lot of bass with either jack. But I knew what the sony mp3 disc player sounded like before I used the DVD player, and it is much different now. Very bassy, and a little more muddy, like with a ported enclosure or bandpass box. I really need to have someone test each source to know for sure why this is happening. And hopefully I didn't damage the subs. Funny, the regular door speakers sound fine, just a lot of excessive bass. But like I said, listening to CD from the HU sounds normal compared to the aux. port.

[Blue_Water_Rush]

Originally Posted by cheyenne_taiga

Have you tried adjusting the bass on the MP3 player?

Yes that was the first thing I checked, to see if I didn't accidently hit the mega bass button. Normally I don't boost the bass from there (not needed). I just leave it flat and adjust bass from the HU.

[eakes]

Since sound when using the CD is 'normal', then you have not damaged the amp or speakers.
If the output you were using were truly optical, then you would have experienced no sound from the device. An optical connection uses light as the transmission media, it is not an analog signal. Whatever the output interface from the DVD, it is entirely possible that it's use damaged the AUX input circuitry. From the description offered, it would appear that the high frequency response of the AUX input has been severely damaged. The easy fix would be to replace the HU either with another RF or with an aftermarket (I would opt for the aftermarket since the RF unit, and associated amp, is only one notch better than junk). Another option is to get an adapter from PAC that will plug into the satellite connector on the HU and convert that input to two AUX inputs. I do not remember the PAC model number, but it sells for approx. $100 and is compatible with most of the Nissan radios which have an option to add satellite radio, such as the RF unit in the Titan.

Edit: Here, http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/pacaainis.html is a link to the device in question. Although the Titan is not named in the list of supported vehicles, this adapter will work on both the mid-level and RF HUs.

[Blue_Water_Rush]

Originally Posted by eakes

I do not remember the PAC model number, but it sells for approx. $100 and is compatible with most of the Nissan radios which have an option to add satellite radio, such as the RF unit in the Titan.

Hey eakes,

I just want to thank you for the valuable info. you provided to me. You rock!!
I ordered the PAC AAI-NIS auxilary imput adapter for Nissan. It plugs into the SAT connector port in the back of the radio and consists of 2 RCA auxilary imputs. I also ordered 2 P.I.E. 3.5-RCA6MM converter cables, so now I can have my DVD and MP3 players plugged in full time and select auxilary by pushing the SAT button on the HU, then switch between the 2 imputs by using preset A & B buttons on the radio (preset C is not used) This is perfect for my purposes and hopefully will solve my sound problem with the standard auxilary port. I paid $94.13 with shipping & insurance for the AAI-NIS from an ebay seller, and $30.46 for the 2 converter cables with shipping from discountcarstereo.com. I saved around $25.00 compared to other on-line sources for these items, Not bad.

Thanks again dude & Happy Thanksgiving, BWR