Static/Buzzing from all speakers

[Foglght]

So, I did this install and it sounds great except for the title. The static seems to affect all my head unit inputs (Ipod, XM, CD, Bluetooth). This is what I have tried so far:

1. Moved all the wires near the head unit that carrry power away from the RCA's.
2. Tried unplugging the RCA's for the front and back to try and isolate the problem.
3. Turned off the crossovers on the HU, to just use the amplifier.
4. Checked all my power/ground connections.

Pioneer tech support sugguested that I remove the common ground source for all my plug-ins. I have the ipod adapter, HU, and XM adapter all grounded at the same spot. I guess that isn't the greatest idea from what they said.

I'd really just like some ideas of what to check. I suppose I will start unplugging things until it stops.

If you turn down the volume all the way, it goes away. This is not signal noise coming from the alternator. It happens with all the speakers, although I can't really tell if it is happening with the subs.

[lizardking]

So many things can cause noise..... go to the link below and you will see several links I posted on how to troubleshoot noise issues......start eliminating pieces one at time will often find the problem...

What amp? I have 2.

[lizardking]

Most of the time at least in all my experience it turns out to be poor grounds or improper gain setting.....Did you set the gains with a DMM?

[Foglght]

I did initially set the gains with the DMM. The ground wire is good, and I have checked everything. I even went through all those procedures from the link that was given, however most of it did not apply to what I was looking for.

I found a better description of what the noise is. It really sounds like an old tape deck before dolby noise reduction was invented.

I sent my Diamond amp out for repair. When it gets back I will swap amps and see if it changes anything. Memphis Audio said they would fix it free of charge if the other amp fixed the problem. They also sugguested that I try running a jumper wire from the ground shields on the RCA's to the heat sink on the amp. Interesting....

The ****ty thing was that I got tired of playing with it and ended up at ABC warehouse to see if they could fix it. They said that the RCA's were too close to the 12v supply, and they needed to move and rewire everything behind the HU. I said, "If that fixes the problem, then go ahead."

The guy who said he fixed it just hands me the keys after a 1/2 hour and says, "Ur all set there buddy."

So, I wander back out to my truck and start it up to test it. Of course, the noise is still there, and I pretty much power walked my *** back into the store to get my money back, as they charged me $50 total to "fix" the problem.

After a lot of bickering, and my credit card being re-imbursed, the guy who did the work said, "Well I never heard any noise to begin with."

Of course this prompted the obvious response, "Jesus, you people are morons."

Anyway, enough blathering. Any other sugguestions?

[tjmutlow]

did you use cheap rcas or good ones? pull radio and jump another set from behind the radio, preferably good ones to the amp see if it solves the problem, or you can try a ground loop isolator, if those do not work, it can either be the amp itself or the outputs on the radio.

[lizardking]

Some amps just have more noise then others....but all amps do have noise.....also having multiple ground points will cause ground loop. To many things can cause the noise issues..... I would start taking pieces out one by one........

[Foglght]

I did take all the pieces out one by one, and none of them made the noise go away. The RCA's are decent, twisted, with gold plate. I tried re-routing the RCA's and tried another brand, which actually seemed to make it worse.

[lizardking]

Try another amp.....if you have access....if you did piece it out and re-check your grounds....then your amp just maybe the issue.