Amp clipping since new head unit fitted

[Heaveho]

I recently replaced a 20 year old Alpine head unit with a Sony carplay. This is running through the existing uprated speakers and sub, via a 6 channel Denon amp. I'm experiencing clipping at fairly loud, but not ear splitting volume. The car isn't the quietest thing in the world ( Evo ), so obviously the volume needs to be up a bit more than some other things I own.

I've never experienced this before and wondered if anyone can shed some light on why a change of head unit may have provoked this.

[Tenacious]

You sure the impedence match for all speakers to the headunit?

[broncoupe]

carry out a full setup on head unit and adjust the amp gains

[TEKNOPUG]

The output voltage on the new HU is probably higher than the old one. Like 1.5v for the hold one and 5v for the new one.

Turn the amp gain all the way down, then turn the HU up until it starts clipping, then back it off a touch. That's you max HU volume. Then turn the amp gain up until it starts clipping, turn back it off a touch.

Alternatively there maybe a low/high output setting on the new HU. Make and models would help.

[Heaveho]

The new head unit is a Sony XAV1005 DB and the amp is an ancient Denon DCA800. All working fine with the previous equally ancient Alpine TDA-7592R head unit.

[TEKNOPUG]

The Alpine has 2v preout voltage and the Sony has 2.5v. So the Sony is sending a 25% greater voltage output. Also check whether you have loudness or similar switched on. You could also try lowering the volume via the EQ. But first reset the gain on the amp as described above.

[Heaveho]

TEKNOPUG said:

The Alpine has 2v preout voltage and the Sony has 2.5v. So the Sony is sending a 25% greater voltage output. Also check whether you have loudness or similar switched on. You could also try lowering the volume via the EQ. But first reset the gain on the amp as described above.

Thanks for that, I'll start there.

[Heaveho]

Just started trying to do something about this. It seems it's a bass related issue, sub specifically. It sounds very clean, right up to the point it starts clipping. I think it's just a matter of there being too much low frequency stuff happening above a certain volume. If I turn the sub down or off, it stops happening regardless of volume level. There's a lot of room for manoeuvre between the settings on the head unit and the amp, so I'm sure I'll be able to reach an acceptable compromise.

Thanks for the help.

[MattsCar]

What subwoofer is it?

DCA800 is a 6x50wrms amp, so most likely only producing 150wrms.

With that output, you will need a very sensitive subwoofer, rated at low power.

Using something with a low sensitivity and say something with 400wrms, will take a fair bit to get it moving, which a 150wrms amp output will struggle to do, before clipping.