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#111392 - 17/08/2002 11:14 Severe Distortion - Help!!
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
I have seached the boards extensively and read some similar posts, but not exactly the same problem i'm having.
Ok, here is the issue..
The player has worked flawless, with no problems until
a few days ago.
I now get horrible distortion and engine noise from the player when playin mp3's, every song, everything...
I had all the wires and grounding checked in my car, and it is fine.
The installer said he hooked the player up outside the car to his "bench"
and he still got the distortion, which leads me to believe the problem is in the
unit itself.
When i run the unit in my house through the alernate power, it plays fine.
This just started happening, nothing was changed on the player or my car before this
happened.
I have tried everything i can think of, i even downgraded the firmware to 1.03, still no luck
I'm dyin without my Empeg, can anyone pleeease help me?
thanks
brian

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#111393 - 17/08/2002 11:46 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31602
Loc: Seattle, WA
The noise you are describing sounds like a ground loop. One of the things that can cause ground loops is a short or a fault in the wiring.

You are right, it could be internal to the player. But also check this.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#111394 - 17/08/2002 14:19 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: tfabris]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
Thanks a lot Tony, i just completely took apart the empeg, and the docking connector. Checked all wires and they all look good, none were even loose at all. I was hoping to find something wrong, but i didnt
I sent an email to tech support, hopefully they can fix it and wont cost too much. I voided my warranty when i added my 2nd hard drive a while back i guess.
I appreciate all your help Tony, thanks again..
Brian

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#111395 - 17/08/2002 17:29 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
F0X
member

Registered: 31/03/2002
Posts: 100
Loc: Alberta, Canada
I had a friend have a similar sounding thing happen with his empeg. I think it turned out to be the DSP chip. See if you can test it in another sled though. Also, his problem was related to aux-in. How is it hooked up in your vehicle?


Edited by F0X (17/08/2002 17:31)
_________________________
F0X 3xMkIIa

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#111396 - 17/08/2002 17:33 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: F0X]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
Yea, i think thats the problem, but it sounds fine when I use it in my house with the power plugged into the wall.
Is that because its a different power source?
I thought if the DSP chip is bad, it would sound bad in the car and the house, but im not that technical when it comes to these car audio components. Thanks for the help FOX..
Brian

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#111397 - 17/08/2002 17:36 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
F0X
member

Registered: 31/03/2002
Posts: 100
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Well, I dont think that the power source would affect it, but the outputs are different. In the car it uses the docking connector and in the house you are using the RCAs right?
_________________________
F0X 3xMkIIa

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#111398 - 17/08/2002 17:38 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: F0X]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
yea, using the rca's in the house

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#111399 - 17/08/2002 17:40 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
F0X
member

Registered: 31/03/2002
Posts: 100
Loc: Alberta, Canada
I guess the best bet would be to contact support and see what they think.
_________________________
F0X 3xMkIIa

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#111400 - 17/08/2002 17:43 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: F0X]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
yea, already sent them an email, hopefully it wont cost too much to fix.
thanks again Fox..
brian

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#111401 - 20/08/2002 14:15 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
tanstaafl.
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5549
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
The installer said he hooked the player up outside the car to his "bench" and he still got the distortion, which leads me to believe the problem is in the unit itself.

When i run the unit in my house through the alernate power, it plays fine.


Which leads me to wonder... how did the installer power it on his bench? Unless he pulled your sled out of the car and tested it in the sled, he must have powered it through the "alternate power" and it should have played fine as your subsequent home tests would indicate.

If you know anybody with another empeg installed, you need to try your empeg in his car and see what happens.

tanstaafl.
_________________________
"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

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#111402 - 20/08/2002 14:27 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: tanstaafl.]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
unfortunately i dont know anyone here in south florida with an empeg i would definately try that
thanks tanstaafl,
brian

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#111403 - 20/08/2002 14:57 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: booey]
DarkStorm
addict

Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 481
Loc: Pompano Beach, Florida
Where in S FL? and you got a Mark 1 or 2?
_________________________
Steve DarkStorm Designs

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#111404 - 20/08/2002 16:22 Re: Severe Distortion - Help!! [Re: DarkStorm]
booey
member

Registered: 31/12/2001
Posts: 113
Hey Steve,
I live in Plantation, and have a Mark2
thanks for the help,
Brian

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