issues with CT Sounds amp

Let me first start off by saying I have been installing car audio for 30 years for myself and my friends. I cannot remember the number of installs I have done over the years. CT sounds had a sale for black Friday and I picked up a 800.5 5 channel amp. I initially installed the amp and had issues with static, alternator noise, interference with the FM radio, and getting proper power to the sub. I tried every setting recommended by CT sounds and it did not change anything. CT sounds recommend grinding the paint off of the seat mounting bolt I grounded the amp to. I notified CT sounds after their 30 day return and they offered to take a look at it. I shipped it off and they replied there was nothing wrong with the amp and made me pay $40 for return shipping. While the amp was in transport, I moved the ground wire from the seat to a clean bolt on the frame. I reinstalled the amp this past weekend and I am still having the same issues. I had a skar 5 channel amp in my 2019 tacoma without any of these issues. In both trucks, I am used a LC6i for the inputs for the amps. The LCI has its own power wire and is grounded to a factory ground behing the passenger front kick panel.

I am puzzled what is wrong. Again, I have installed numerous amps from Kenwood, Sony, Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, skar, and PPI and never had noise issues like this. Before I ask CT sounds for a refund again, am i missing something obvious?

 

Stock radio?

If so, it would mean you've got 3 audio pieces on 3 separate ground points. That's characteristic of a ground loop.

First good step would be to consolidate as much as possible to identical ground planes.

Ideally, the lci should use the same ground as the amp-- there's really no reason to have an isolated ground for only a low power device like that.

 

In my experience, I’ve gotten a lot of noise introduced when running audio signals around the kick panel. There’s a chance either the RCAs or the lc6 itself is picking up some interference being mounted in there.

 

Yes, i am using the stock radio. I can try moving the ground from the kick panel to the same place as the amp. But again, im pretty sure i have used the same set up that i am using now in the past and did ot have any issues.

 

In the famous words of the SEC

Past performance is not indicative of future results

 

I personally started routing my interconnects under the center console. Lots less parallel runs of wiring there, which best minimizes the chance of crosstalk.

If you have a spare 2+ channel amp laying around from a previous build, it would be worthwhile to connect in the place of the current amp.

If it's a wiring issue, the problem will remain. Typically, amps don't have enough surface area to have an effect on fm reception. So I expect the same results, but it's worth the try to narrow down the issue

 

i tired moving the ground from the LC6i to the amp, and it mode no difference. I am at a loss.

 

What RCA's are you using?

It's really down to devices, wiring, or installation method.

Trying a different lineout converter would be a step to verify the lci7 is working correctly.

You can also try running loose wire across the cab from device to device. That eliminates crosstalk issues during the concealed wire route

 

You still don't have all your equipment on the same ground location (head unit). A dedicated ground from the battery can help as well - all & only your audio gear on that same ground. Not sure how that all works out with a factory deck though. Maybe try a portable player (phone, etc) through the amp/dsp/etc to isolate items.

I've seen some [different] amps make noise in the same setup where others don't, so it could be that your amp isn't tolerant of the current conditions although it's not malfunctioning. As suggested above, maybe try a different amp if one is available.