20
PROBLEM
Amp is clipping
Distortion, background noise,
crackling, or hissing in the
speakers
3. If the gain setting is too high, this can cause the amp to clip. The proper way to set your gain is to turn
your receiver volume to 75% of the max, and then slowly turn your gain up. The second you hear any slight
distortion, turn it down one notch and leave it at that setting. Amps are not meant to be played with the gain
up to the max. If this is the case, lower your gain slowly until you hear the amplifier stop clipping.
4. A poor ground cable connection can cause your amp to clip because improper power is getting to the
amp. Check your ground connection and make sure that the cable is securely tightened.
5. A very common cause of amplifier clipping is power and ground wire that is too thin of a gauge size for the
amplifier. Determine the proper wire gauge necessary and replace existing wires.
6. If using multiple devices that all have a volume control (such as an equalizer or processor, receiver, and the
amp), then you would need to lower one or two of those devices to stop the amp from clipping.
1. First check to see how your wires are run. If your RCA cables and speaker wire are run alongside your
power cables, they will pick up feedback. If this is the case, you will need to run the RCA cable on the other
side separate from your power cable.
2. A poor ground cable connection can cause your amp to clip because improper power is getting to the
amp. Check your ground connection and make sure that the cable is securely tightened.
3. Engine noise – You will know it is engine noise if every time you rev your engine the noise gets louder. You
can install a ground loop isolator on the receiver’s power lead to cut down on signal pollution. Most often,
however, engine noise comes from a loose or intermittent ground connection. Make sure your ground con-
nection is tight and that you are using the proper gauge cable.
4. If your gain on your amp is set to the max and your receiver has a high preamp voltage, it will cause some
unwanted noise. To properly set your gain, play a CD or other music. Now put the receiver volume to 75% –
80% of the max. Then slowly turn the gain of the amp to a setting where you do not hear a loud hiss. A low
hiss is acceptable, as with music playing you will never hear it. Please note the amp gain is not a volume
control. It is meant to be matched to the pre-amp voltage of a head unit. It is important to properly set your
gain when you buy a new amp.
CAUSE/SOLUTION
