Ok, Can someone clear this up for me?

I am putting in my system now and am using an AudioControl Matrix. From working with AudioControl we are coming to the conclusion that the voltage out of the head unit is in no way 1v. It seems that it is more then 1v.

I got the Matrix because I read in several posts that the signal out of the HU is VERY small, 1v maybe, and very clean.

Under those conditions the matrix is perfect as it will boost the signal. But it seems that it is boosting the signal way too much creating engine noise etc. We are thinking that maybe the signal is more then 1v. Therefore creating the problems I am having.

Has there been anyone who has actually tested or seen documentation showing the actual voltage out of the HU?

Thanks

 

put a meter on it... I got 1v. Engine noise can come from a lot of things. doulble check your connections.

 

Figured out what it is!!!!

It had nothing to do with the voltage!

After hours of re-grounding wires etc. I decided to go purchase a pair of PAC RCA noise filters. See if that would help.

What made me not try that at first was that this was not engine noise I have ever heard before.

Anyway. I tried the filters on the inputs on the Matrix....no change...output on Matrix...no change....input on the Amp..no change...

So then I went up front where I soldered the RCA ends onto the factory speaker wires.....SOLVED!!!

I don't know what exactly was causing it, but those $20 noise filters solved the problem.

 

What kind of noise did you have. Was it a loud humming noise that sounds like 30hz??? Where can you get these RCA nosie filters from and how do they look like. And by the way, did you have a Line converter install in your car or the Matrix substitute it?

 

Well the noise was a little bit of engine noise, but also alot like a 'old modem' or 'fax' machine tone. Was not loud but VERY annoying as everytime a song changed or was just a soft vocal track I could hear it.

I don't know what 30hz sounds like

I took the speaker level wires from the deck and at the stock amp location I soldered on RCA ends...THEN went into the Matrix. So no line level converted needed.

 

you should remove those filters, find the source of you problem and remove it. right now you still have the problem but the filters are covering it up. things allways sound better when you fix them the right way. first i would take a mulimeter and test all my grounds and make sure you don't have any signal cables running ANYWHERE NEAR power/ground cables. then i would get rid of the matrix and use jl audios cleansweep. much much cleaner signal booster.

 

Tap in after the factory amplifier and you're set.. no noise.. no need to tap before the amp.. trust me..

 

Hey in talking with Chris yesterday he reminded me that we had the same problem with my TL. There are jumpers inside the Matrix that need to be moved. This will solve all with no need of any ground loop iso, etc. which you definately don't want to use.

As to the Cleansweep, I like it but not for the TL. As to it being a better line driver... either explain (cite your source) or share your experience. My vote goes to the Matrix simply for functionality purposes.

 

Chusteveb, very good news about the jumpers in the Matrix. This engine noise was worrying me and keeping me from doing an audio upgrade. Hopefully the jumpers will work for Toasters. I await his news.

 

I will try those jumpers when I get home.
I appriciate all the suggestions. I have to agree that the Cleensweep sounds like a great idea, but it doesn't seem practical for a 5.1 system.
Plus the thought that I cannot use the volume controls on the steering wheel etc and have to use another knob for main volume, do not excite me.

I wiill keep you all informed later tonight.

 

What is the matrix?

Sorry, I just had to... :P

 

Just take the damn pill and shut it!

 

you don't have to use the cleansweeps volume control, thatis just for the aux level. you can preset it and hide the knob and still use the steering wheel control. the advantage that i think the jl has over the matrix is that it has 4 31 band auto eq's (1 per channel) that "flatten out" the eq that the factory deck uses to make the signal ideal for the oem speakers. this gives you a super clean signal at all volume levels. it's important that the cleansweeps eq is auto variable because the oem equiptment changes the eq curve drastically from low to high volume levels. i'm sure you know that's why it sounds sharper when it's turned down and very light on bass when it's turned up. the only down side is if you want to keep your 5.1 you need 2 cleansweeps. kinda pricey, but very worth it. one of the cleanest oem deck powered systems i've ever heard had a cleansweep in the mix.

 

Awesome, except that the TL's audio signal is flat comming out of the headunit and is changed and enhanced at the factory amp which means if you grab the signal before the factory amp all is well. Cleansweep could help but not as much as you think and really to me not at all.

Of course you can still use the factory volume control with cleansweep but this advance EQ that the cleansweep has is dialed in by using a consistant output given by the headunit. This is why cleansweep has is's own master volume. Since the signal is flat comming out of the TL's headunit, the sound should be relatively good even if you used the factory volume controls with the cleansweep however seems very inconvenient to me.

 

Ok....changing the ground on the jumper inside the Matrix fixed the noise problem.....

Now for the next set of issues.....

New thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/wtb-koni-yellows-121300/

 

Of course it did! Anything other problems arise, just ask. I've been pretty busy lately but scanning your DYI is pretty impressive ; I know I'd never be able to post this up . I can get the install done, but not the write up.

 

LOL...well I don't want to do it all myself, but it gets me out of the house