Ok , last option before ditching my beloved Alpine 852(they dont make them anymore and its the only 1.5 Din radio that looks ok in the f-car dash) . I just junked my Alpine MRVF400, replaced it with a Fosgate P4004 50Wx4, also tested a new Power Acoustic 100x4 and all the same resluts. Stereo sounds GREAT at low volume, but when I get on the road , the volume craps out at "12". I mean , the sound just hits a brick wall and will not get louder if you turn up the volume at all. Just begins to clip real bad. The Alpine goes from 0 to 30 as far as volume attenuation. When it was stock with the BOSE, you could turn it up to 24 before distortion set in. I have tested 2 and a half reputable amps and all 3 did the same. Im hoping a 8volt line driver will help............anyone have any opinions on this, thanks

 

It sounds as if you don't have your amplifier gain set correctly. Where is the gain set at and how was this setting arrived at?

 

I started by turning the amp gain to "0", or the lowest setting. I then turned the radio volume to about 50%. Then began to turn the amp gain until the sound was clear and appropriate(free of hiss and clipping). Ive tried different settings but still cant turn the Alpine past 12. The gain on the amp is approx 60% of its travel detent and anymore produces real audible hiss. Im gonna connect my old Clarion ProAudio thats been on my garage shelf for the last 3 years, its got 4V preout and see what happens, that shouls answer my problem. Thanks for your reply dude......